0 Trains from (GGN)GURGAON to (RDP)RADHIKAPUR

To further strengthen bilateral relationship, 20 Broad Gauge (BG) locomotives were virtually flagged off to Bangladesh in a handing over ceremony held today at Rail Bhavan New Delhi, by Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways. From the Bangladesh end, Minister of Railway, Md. Nurul Islam Sujan also joined in virtually. The event was attended by Shri A.K.Lahoti, Chairman & CEO, Railway Board, Board Members, senior officials of Railway Board and delegates of Bangladesh.

The handing over of these diesel locomotives, under grant assistance from the Government of India, fulfills an important commitment made during the visit of Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina to India, in October, 2019. In keeping with the requirements of Bangladesh Railway, the locomotives have been suitably modified by the Indian side. These locomotives will help handle the increasing volume of passenger and freight train operations in Bangladesh.

Speaking o­n this occasion, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “India’s relationship with Bangladesh is civilizational, cultural, social and economic. Prime Ministers of both the countries are playing proactive role to improve bilateral relationship across social, economic and political sectors. Indian Railways are also playing a vital role in improving and strengthening rail connectivity across the border and improving trade between both the countries. As of now, five BG connectivity are operational, namely Geda- Darsana, Benapol- Petrapol, Singhabad- Rohanpur, Radhikapur- Birol and Haldibari-Chilahati. Work o­n two more cross border rail connectivities, Akhaura-Agartala and Mahihasan-Shahbazpur are progressing well and are likely to be completed and commissioned shortly.”

Addressing the gathering virtually, Minister of Railway, Bangladesh Mr. Md. Nurul Islam Sujan said, “I express my gratitude to the Indian Government for their support. Previously in June 2020 Indian Government provided 10 locomotives to Bangladesh as grant. We express our heartfelt gratitude to India for providing broad gauge locomotives. The supply of locomotives will help to improve both goods and passenger trains. We hope that existing collaboration between two countries regarding Railways sector will increase day by day.”

To enhance people to people contact, presently three pairs of passenger trains between India and Bangladesh, namely, Kolkata-Dhaka Maitree Express, Kolkata-Khulna Bandhan Express and New Jalpaiguri- Dhaka Mitali Express are running.

Trade between both the countries via rail have seen consistent growth with interchange of close to 100 cargo trains per month and approximately 2.66 MT cargo was sent to Bangladesh in the last financial year. The export commodities are Stone, DOC, Foodgrains, China Clay, Gypsum, Maize, o­nion and other essential items, as and when required, from India. Since 2020 permission has been given to operate parcel container and NMG rakes which normally carry agricultural products, fabrics, finished goods, light commercial vehicles and tractors. A new traffic of geo-synthetic bags has just started and 3 Parcel trains have been sent from Gujarat.

In line with Indian commitment to improve Rail service in Bangladesh, 10 BG Diesel locomotives were handed over to Bangladesh o­n grant basis in July 2020. As reported by Bangladesh, these locomotives are performing well and contributing well in smooth movement rail traffic in Bangladesh.

Southern Railway has taken up Katpadi Station redevelopment in order to offer a world-class ambience, futuristic infra and airport-like facilities for passengers. Tender was awarded for the redevelopment in September 2022 and the redevelopment work is progressing at a steady pace.

Works executed recently

·Architectural & structural drawing of Phase-I & Phase II buildings.

·Environment monitoring survey completed.

·GRIHA rating for Katpadi station Redevelopment work.

·Project Management Site Office construction completed.

·Staff quarters footing work completed.

Other works in progress

·Site laboratory & mess construction work in progress.

·Setting up of a Batching plant in progress.

·Architectural & structural Design of the Station Buildings, Multi-level Car Parking, Multi-level Two-wheeler Parking, Foot-Over-Bridge, Air-Concourse & other buildings in progress.

·Staff quarters foundation backfilling in progress.

·Site cleaning & Marking for Scout, Artesian, RPF barrack in progress.

Works executed So far

·Master Plan Validation completed.

·Traffic Survey work completed.

·Utility Scanning completed.

·Preliminary works such as Mapping and Topographical survey, drone survey, DGPS Survey, Traffic survey, tree inventory, joint inventory of movable and immovable assets.

·All kind of Soil test (Geotechnical investigation) completed at various locations.

·Project management Services have commenced work.

·Site clearance work completed for building locations for Phase-I & Phase II.

·Right of way, which is a legal right to enter and carry out the work, has been provided to the EPC contractor for construction of Phase-I building for Staff quarters (Type-II - 16 units, 2 blocks), Barrack and Scout, P- way and Signal Warehouse, SSE Tele/Signal yard space, Gang tool cum Restroom Artisans room, Parcel/RMS office and Elevated trolley path, MLCP/MLTP and PWAY shed, Sump, STP , Solid waste management System including incinerator, External Service, Departure Air Concourse & Departure terminal building.

·On a regular basis project review meetings are held with the stakeholders of the project.

·Fabrication of Sign boards & barricades completed.

Katpadi (KPD) Station Redevelopment works

The work of redevelopment of Katpadi Railway station was awarded as EPC contract to M/s Engineering Projects (India) Ltd, Chennai at a cost of Rs. 329.32 Crore, setting a time frame of 36 months from D Date, i.e. from 01-12-2022, for completion of the project.  M/sVoyants Solutions Pvt Ltd, Gurgaon have been tasked with the work of Project Management services (PMS) at a cost of Rs.7.89 Crore.

Two terminals (Arrival & Departure) are proposed to be constructed in the southern side, connected by Air concourses while arrival & departure lobby will be constructed in the Northern side. The Terminal Buildings will be equipped with world class amenities like waiting lounge, ticketing area, commercial area and Roof plaza etc. Elevated skywalks and subways with adequate lifts/escalators will connect both of these terminals to the bus stand thus enabling hassle-free inter-modal connectivity.  A dedicated space for handling parcels will also be constructed.

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