Latest news with #MetroRail
ABC News
8 hours ago
- Business
- ABC News
Melbourne's Metro Rail Tunnel may not be fully operational when it opens, with report two stations are behind schedule
The Victorian Government has backed down from initial denials that Melbourne's $15 billion Metro Rail Tunnel project would not be fully operational when it opens at the end of the year. Nine newspapers have reported some train services will run through the nine-kilometre twin tunnels this year but peak hour services would divert to the City Loop until early 2026, despite the project being spruiked as opening this year. The report suggested the delay was due to construction of two of the project's five underground stations – Town Hall and State Library – failing to meet completion deadlines. Government frontbencher Steve Dimopoulos fronted the media on Saturday morning and initially said the report was wrong. But, when pushed by further questioning, changed his stance to suggest the article was 'pre-emptive'. 'We haven't landed the timetable,' Mr Dimopoulos said. Mr Dimopoulos said he did not expect any disappointment from commuters if services were not to run at full capacity. 'If you think of the complexity here … I don't think people are going to be anything but overjoyed when they walk through those five stations. 'This is a huge project, that's what I think people will be embracing.' He took a shot at the anonymous sources the newspaper article was based on. 'Anonymity comes with a lack of responsibility.' Metro Rail has notched up hundreds of millions of dollars in cost blow-outs and there were already known issues with station construction, including a shortage of construction workers, supply chain constraints and disruptions caused by COVID-19, that had pushed back the opening date from March 2025 to as far as the new year. Mr Dimopoulos said that deferred completion date should not be seen as a delay. 'When the government announced it in 2015 and you go back to those records, the premier then said it would be open in late 2026," he said. "It'll be open by the end of this year so it's a year early.' Opposition leader Brad Battin said the government had implied the project would be fully operational by this year.. "No one knows when it's going to open, no one knows which stations will open and no one knows how many trains will be able to go through during peak and off-peak times," he said. Mr Battin called on the government to guarantee it would not pay the builders any bonuses if they failed to complete the full project by the end of the year.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Monsoon's first big strike brings Surat to its knees
Surat: Life in the city famed for its seamless flyovers was came to a grinding halt on Monday, as nearly nine inches of relentless rainfall in just 10 hours triggered widespread waterlogging, flooding homes, shops, basements, and even textile markets, since 6am. Of the total 242mm of rainfall, 135mm pounded in just two hours from 8am to 10am. Roads dug up for Metro Rail and other civic infrastructure works worsened the situation as residents struggled to navigate submerged pathways. With the road surface completely invisible for hours, motorists stood stranded, fearing the deadly risk of falling into open excavations. In Kapodra, a viral video showing rainwater gushing into a massive Metro construction pit only deepened the anxiety. In the Yogi Chowk area, basement parking lots were flooded, submerging several vehicles. Similar scenes were witnessed on Ring Road and Kadodara Road, where rainwater entered textile markets. In areas like Surat railway station, parked vehicles were completely submerged as water levels swelled to above five foot at certain locations. The Surat Fire and Emergency Services teams rescued 115 people from submerged vehicles and waterlogged areas, relocating them to safer locations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Rescue operations were launched near the railway underpass and the textile market, where people got trapped in a bus and a truck after the drivers attempted to navigate waterlogged stretches. S tate transport services were severely disrupted due to waterlogging around the central bus station, and multiple railway underpasses were rendered impassable. As a result, some 200 ST bus trips were cancelled on Monday. Waterlogging was widespread, affecting both the old city and newly developed areas, where the stormwater drainage system failed to handle the heavy downpour. Even in walled city areas, where flooding is a rarity, several roads were blocked. In Pal and Palanpur, where a stormwater network was recently laid, water remained stagnant till late evening. In Pal, the compound wall of an apartment collapsed into a nearby construction site due to the saturation of surrounding soil. A section of National Highway 48 near Kamrej was also blocked, affecting traffic movement in and out of the city. A total of 1,908 sanitation workers were deployed across the city for clean-up operations.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Shortage of Grade A office space turns a stumbling block for Hi-Tec City area in Hyderabad
Hyderabad: When Dutch giant Heineken zeroed in on Hyderabad for its global capability centre (GCC) with plans to pour in nearly Rs 3,000 crore, it perhaps did not anticipate that finding space in the heart of the IT hub of HITEC City would be akin to a mission impossible. The reason is that this swanky, most sought-after destination for GCCs, which has many a global CEO raving about its international ambience a la San Francisco's famed Bay Area, is practically all sold out (read leased out) in terms of Grade A space, realty sources said. HITEC City houses Sattva Group's Knowledge Park and Knowledge City, RMZ's Nexity, Raheja Mindspace, and CapitaLand Park, in addition to standalone projects by Auro Realty and My Home Group, among others. Among the last to grab a big chunk of space in a premium park here was McDonald's, which secured around 2 lakh sq ft over six months ago, while Eli Lilly opted for a standalone building near IKEA for a similar space as parks housing most pharma and healthcare GCCs were all leased out, sources said. 'There is nothing available. No new supply will be available in HITEC City before the end of 2026. GCCs now have no choice but to explore standalone options on HITEC City's periphery or Financial District (FD) and Gachibowli,' said Sreekanth Reddy, managing director-Hyderabad, Cushman & Wakefield. HITEC City houses around 55 million sq ft of Hyderabad's total 75 million sq ft Grade A space, he added. 'There is some little inventory here and there, but most of the big ones are taken due to huge demand from GCCs as HITEC City has emerged as the first choice for GCCs coming to India,' said Karan Chopra, chairman & co-CEO, Table Space. This unprecedented demand has sent rentals in what was earlier known as a sub-dollar market to triple digits. 'Rentals in HITEC City have breached the Rs 100 per sq ft mark because of the absorption surge,' confirmed Shrinivas Rao, CEO, Vestian. According to Vimal Nadar, national director & head of research, Colliers India, HITEC City accounted for 57% of Hyderabad's cumulative office leasing over last five years, with Grade A leasing surging 5X compared to 2020, driven by expansion of MNCs and tech giants. Elaborating on factors driving this demand surge, Rao said: 'Of every 10 enquiries, Hyderabad accounts for four, showing it's right up there in the GCC world. Hyderabad and HITEC City's biggest advantage is world-class infrastructure compared to other cities and shorter commute times.' The Metro Rail project has also emerged as a key driver of HITEC City's appeal for GCCs, said Reddy. Agreeing, Nadar said improved connectivity thanks to Raidurg-Nagole Metro Line 3 has played a crucial role in elevating HITEC City's commercial appeal. Realtors said the good airport connectivity as well as great social infrastructure too add to its appeal. This has also given rise to a paradoxical situation — recent market studies pegged Hyderabad as the market with the highest vacant Grade A stock among top cities in India. 'Though there is a huge amount of Grade A space available in Hyderabad but its all sitting in FD and Gachibowli,' Rao explained.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
CUMTA begins trials for Anna Ride Booking common ticketing app, to be launched by the end of July
The Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) has begun trials for Anna Ride Booking, a common ticketing mobile app. It is set to be launched by the end of next month. The app provides routes and multiple transport options and their timings for commuting through the city with a single ticket. For instance, if someone were to travel from Valasaravakkam to the airport, then it would show routes featuring a combination of buses, Metro Rail, and autorickshaws. After choosing the current location and a destination, commuters will have to select the transport options and make a payment to generate a QR Code. Chennai Metro Rail, Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) buses, suburban and Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) trains, and Namma Yatri cabs and autorickshaw will be available as options in the app. According to CUMTA officials, trials of the app on MTC buses and Metro Rail have been going on for the past week. 'By the end of July, the app will have the option to select buses, autorickshaws, and Metro Rail. But suburban and MRTS train options will take time to be implemented. The railway gave an initial approval but a memorandum of understanding should be signed. We expect that to be done by August. They may be able to come on board as well,' an official said. CUMTA is currently working with the MTC to get accurate vehicle tracking and timings and incorporate them in the app. 'If people can plan their journey better knowing the timings of buses and trains, they will be able to commute by public transport on time and at half the price, instead of paying for a cab or an autorickshaw for the entire commute,' he added. S. Ramesh of Mogappair, who often travels to Pattabhiram and Chennai Central, said one of the main problems now is that people don't know the exact schedule of MTC buses. 'If this becomes a reality thanks to this app, it will benefit thousands of people. Those new to the city will find it very useful to commute. They probably won't be aware of train schedule or frequencies either. This will help them use public transport to navigate the city,' he added. Though the app should have been ready much earlier this year, it is now finally looking at a launch date.
Hans India
6 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Metro Rail Phase 2 proposal submitted to Centre
Hyderabad: Taking a step further towards executing the Metro Rail project in the city, HMRL submitted the Metro Rail Phase 2 (B) proposal along with required documents and DPRs the Central government on the HMR officials, the proposal was duly approved by the State cabinet, this phase 2 (B) project consists of three corridors -- RGIA to Bharat Future City (39.6 km; Rs 7,168 crore), JBS to Medchal (24.5 km; Rs 6,946 cr), and JBS to Shamirpet (22km; Rs 5,465 crore). Thus covering a total length of 86.1km, this Phase 2 (B) project will involve a total investment of Rs 19,579 crore. Like the earlier submitted Phase 2 (A) project of five corridors (76.4 km), this Phase 2 (B) project is also proposed to be developed as a joint venture project of GoI and GoTG. As per the JV project norms of the Central government, the Phase 2 (B) cost of Rs 19,579 cr will have Telangana government's share of Rs 5,874 cr (30 per cent), Central government's share of Rs 3,524 cr (18 per cent); debt from international financial institutions of Rs 9,398 cr (48%) and a small PPP component of Rs 783 cr (4 per cent).
