News


development budget for 2013- 2018 at Rs 4.56 trillion ($US 86.3bn).


Of this amount, Rs 3.7 trillion will come from the Indian government, while the remainder will be obtained through public-private partnerships (PPPs). The 12th five-year plan document states: “It will be difficult to reach this level of investment unless three major initiatives are planned by the railways: revising the tariff structure in accordance with international practices; increasing PPP and private investments; and increasimg borrowing.” India’s requirement for passenger rolling stock will grow at an annual rate of around 10%. Over the next five years, IR needs to acquire 24,000 coaches (including multiple unit vehicles); 2000 diesel locomotives; 2010 electric locomotives and 105,659 wagons.


The 12th plan will focus on


five areas: track, bridges, signalling and telecoms, rolling stock, and stations and freight terminals. There will be widespread modernisation of signalling systems with the introduction of Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS), Anti Collison


Luxembourg on October 29, approved the text agreed with the European Parliament for the recast of the First Railway Package which will establish a single European railway area. Member states now have 30 months to transpose the directive into national legislation. The European Commission (EC) says the measures will tackle what it sees as low levels of competition, discriminatory practices, and the persistence of conflicts of interest, particularly in access to terminals and maintenance facilities. Furthermore, it should address the perceived lack of national regulation.


T 4


Indian Railways to invest $US 86 billion in 2013-2018 I


Raghav Thakur Correspondent


NDIAN Railways (IR) has set the infrastructure


Train Collision Avoidance System on test


Devices (ACDs) Train Collison Avoidance Systems (see panel), and GPS-based low- visibility safety devices. Rolling stock improvements will include the introduction of track-friendly bogies capable of operating under 25 tonne and 32.5 tonne axleloads. During 2013-2018 IR plans to complete the switchover to the manufacture of only Linke Hofmann Busch-designed coaches, while new locomotives will offer higher output and improved fuel efficiency. Other technical initiatives being planned include the complete track circuiting of station sections and the introduction of computerised


Organisation (RDSO) in collaboration with HBL Power Systems, India, has carried out field trials of the domestically-developed Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), which is designed to automatically trigger a brake application when a signal is passed at danger (Spad). Trials were conducted in October at Tandur station, west of Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh. Two TCAS- equipped locomotives operated a series of test runs,


I


real-time asset monitoring. The restructuring of IR will also continue, with the divestment of non-transport


Ministers approve First Railway Package recast


HE transport ministers of the European Union, meeting in


The EC says regulators in most member states are understaffed, have limited investigative powers, and cannot enforce their decisions with financial penalties. The recast will require member states to ensure the independence of regulators from other public authorities, enhancing their powers and requiring cooperation on cross-border issues. The recast will also necessitate multi- annual contracts between governments and infrastructure managers linking funding to performance and business plans. In addition it will stipulate more precise rules on access charging, a long-term issue of contention in many member states.


project to build around 6000km of new lines, comprising an east-west corridor and two north- south lines.


T


The lines will increase the number of connections to neighbouring railways and facilitate the exploitation of minerals. The first phase, costing around $US 2bn, will be about 1400km long and will connect the South Gobi region with Mongolia’s eastern border. The second phase will add another 2300km to the network. In October the government approved a third phase totalling 1700km. This will consist of a north-south corridor serving the western side of the country and creating a second link across Mongolia between China and Russia.


IRJ December 2012


NDIA’s Research, Design and Standards


simulating scenarios including head-on collisions, rear-end collisions, and Spads. The trains ran at converging speeds of 200km/h for the head-on tests, and 60km/h for Spad and collision demonstrations. The tests were witnessed by the chairman of the Indian Railways Board Mr Vinay Mittal and other senior officials. Following the success of the tests, RDSO says TCAS could be rolled out by Indian Railways on a limited basis within six months.


activities and separation of policymaking and operational responsibilities of the Ministry of Railways.


Bids invited for Mongolian line


HE Mongolian government is to invite bids this month for the first phase of a $US 7bn


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48