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Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Pvt firm told to pay Rs 5.61cr compensation to owners for collapsed building
Shimla: Shimla deputy commissioner Anupam Kashyap on Wednesday directed the private company involved in the construction of the four-lane highway project under the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to pay a compensation of Rs 5.61 crore to the owners of the multi-storey building which collapsed on June 30 in Mathu Colony of the Bhattakuffer area. Kashyap issued the orders after reviewing the investigation committee's report, which attributed the collapse to the negligence of the private company. The building was owned by Shreya, Shaurya and Ranjana. The DC directed the firm to pay the entire compensation amount to the affected family without any delay. He also said his office should be informed about the action taken. The investigation committee, headed by additional district magistrate (law and order) Pankaj Sharma, presented the report to the deputy commissioner on July 18. It assessed the total damages at Rs 2.80 crore. This included the land value of Rs 57.40 lakh and the net value of the structure at Rs 1.65 crore. Additionally, other costs were estimated at Rs 58.38 lakh. According to the committee, the building collapsed due to hill cutting for the four-lane construction in the area. As a result, the building owners – Shreya, Shaurya and Ranjana – lost their home, causing significant distress and hardship to them. MSID:: 122998603 413 |
Indian Express
2 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
How W-beam fencing along Mumbai-Gandhinagar route brought down cattle collisions with Vande Bharat by 81% in 3 years
Three years after incidents of the Mumbai Central-Gandhinagar Capital Vande Bharat Express suffering damaged nose and delayed runs due to collision with cattle herds raised safety concerns in high-speed train operations, the Western Railway — in a first-of-its-kind initiative of the Indian Railways — installed W-beam fencing along the 565-kilometre length of the tracks of the Vande Bharat route, bringing down the incidents of Cattle Run Overs (CRO) by 81%. Soon after its launch in September 2022, repeated incidents of collision of the Mumbai-Gandhinagar Vande Bharat, with images of the train's Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) nose cone damaged surfacing, posed grave risk to the train operating at high speed. Besides, they threatened the lives of cattle grazing along the tracks. To counter this, the Western Railway installed the W-beam fencing — a crash barrier widely used by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) — along the stretch from Mumbai to Gandhinagar as well as an additional 300 kilometers from Vadodara Junction to Nagda on the Rajdhani Express route. From 538 reported cases of CRO between Virar and Ahmedabad in 2022-23 to 101 cases in 2024-25, and 12 until July 23 in the current financial year, the Western Railway has been able to achieve a significant reduction with continuous fencing on the Vande Bharat route. According to records of the Western Railways, the figure of 12 cattle that died between April 1 and July 23 this year is also lower than the 27 that died in the corresponding period last year. Of these, the maximum cattle deaths have been recorded in the sections from Virar to Surat and from Vadodara Junction to Geratpur, owing to the fact that these sections are located outside the urban sector and surrounded by villages where cattle rearing is a common profession. In 2022-23, out of the 538 incidents of cattle deaths, 302 were reported between Virar and Surat while 140 were reported between Vadodara and Geratpur. The number significantly reduced to 48 CROs between Virar and Surat and 37 cases between Vadodara and Geratpur in 2024-25. Officials said that the elevated railway tracks between Surat and Vadodara have meant a lower number of CROs — from 72 in 2022-23 to nine in 2024-25 — as compared to the other sections. The 565 kilometres of W-beam fencing installed along the route is also the longest 'thorough fenced section' of the Indian Railways. Chief Public Relations Officer, Western Railway, Vineet Abhishek, told The Indian Express, 'In the initial months, when Vande Bharat had started, there were incidents of cattle run-overs, which were very unfortunate. Western Railway, under the guidance of the Railway Board, took up this initiative in a mission mode to figure out a solution to bring down these cases. It (the collisions) not only adversely affects train operation but also raises concern for the safety of our train passengers…' Following the incidents reported during the early run of the Mumbai-Gandhinagar Vande Bharat — the second to be launched in the country — the Railway Protection Force (RPF) had identified vulnerable locations and carried out awareness and sensitisation campaigns at all the locations. In 2022, RPF conducted 1,023 awareness campaigns at vulnerable locations along with meetings with the sarpanches of all villages in the vicinity of railway tracks. The railways also identified that dumping of garbage along the railway tracks by the people also attracted the cattle in the area. Railway officials said that while conventional locomotives are fitted with cattle guards to prevent the animals from slipping under the train, the new designs of Vande Bharat are designed for an aesthetic look and the nose does not feature rail guards although the engines are robust and protected beneath the FRP layer. According to officials, the W-beam fencing was chosen after much deliberation, considering that it was the most popular crash-barrier on highways to absorb the impact of high-speed cars. The W-beam has been installed in a staggered manner to ensure that cattle do not stray onto the railway track and, at the same time, the path for villagers is not blocked throughout the tracks. The staggered installation also allows movement of railway goods across the tracks when needed. 'It was also equally important to bring down loss of animal life and resources for villagers residing near our railway tracks. Multiple solutions were explored and finally, the W-beam fence was installed in the entire section of the Vande Bharat route and Rajdhani route of the Western Railway. As a result, the number of CROs have come down drastically. It is almost negligible as compared to FY 2022-23,' Abhishek said. Vivek Kumar Gupta, General Manager, Western Railway, said, 'Train-animal collisions pose significant risks, including derailment. However, recent initiatives have led to a drastic reduction in cattle run-over rates, allowing drivers to operate trains with increased confidence and safety. Moreover, cattle have livestock value for the villagers. This initiative to fence the entire route has not only benefited the Railways, but also these villagers and their livestock. As a result, the initiative is being widely appreciated by all.'
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Construction of 3rd part of Inner Ring Road to begin by July end
Prayagraj: The work on the third part of the Inner Ring Road project's first phase will begin by the end of this month for which the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has completed all formalities, including the tender and selecting the agency. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In the third part, an 8.8 km four-lane road will be built between Mirzapur Road and Rewa Road at a cost of Rs 300 crore. In the first phase of the ring road, a total of 32 km of road is being built in three parts between Sahaso bypass, i.e., toll plaza, and Lawayan Kala of Karchana tehsil. In the last week of May, the authority started the work of implementing the action plan by completing the tender process. According to NHAI officials, the work of giving compensation to the farmers is in the final stage, and the construction work will start before July 31. Under part one of the first phase, a four-lane road, one railway overbridge, and one overbridge are being constructed in a 20 km area from Sahason Toll Plaza to Neebi Kala, Chhatnag. Work started in Jan 2024 at a cost of Rs 350 crore. The completion period of the work is scheduled until Oct 2025. Construction from Neebi Kala to Mirzapur Road, Naini, started in Feb 2024. In this, two bridges are proposed, each one at rivers Ganga and Yamuna. One of these bridges will span 3.2 km, and both the bridges will be six-lane bridges. These bridges are being constructed at a cost of Rs 739 crore, and the deadline for their construction is set for Dec 2026.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
MP reviews underpass proposal at G Corner on Trichy-Chennai NH
Trichy: Trichy MP Durai Vaiko on Monday reviewed the proposal for a new vehicular underpass (VuP) at G Corner here on Trichy-Chennai National Highway (NH) passing through industrialized areas. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He discussed the status of the underpass with officials National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and during the meeting. "The new VuP proposal at G Corner to prevent fatal accidents is making steady progress. The extent of railway land required for the project has been identified, and further developments to launch the construction work as early as possible were discussed," Trichy MP told TOI. While 3,100sqm of railway land was initially estimated to be required for the new infrastructure, the land requirements will be finalised while preparing a detailed project report (DPR). The participants also discussed the alignment of the VuP and a new service road, creating an easy approach for the the Ponmalai railway workshop and adjoining residential settlements. Through new VuP, vehicles from service roads on both sides of the NH can access institutions and commercial establishments through the underpass and vehicles can ply on the highway without any interruption from the local traffic. Presently, as service roads on both sides of the NH between G Corner and TVS Tollgate are not connected, commuters approach the highway in opposite directions, leading to accidents.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Time of India
Water accumulates at Pachpaoli flyover reconstruction site, residents raise concerns over vector-borne diseases
Nagpur: While the demolition of the decades-old Pachpaoli flyover is already delayed and ongoing for almost three months, another issue has arisen at the site, leaving citizens frustrated. The recent heavy rains created a 'swimming pool' on the dug-up stretch from Kamal Chowk towards the railway crossing, where the old flyover once stood. Citizens of the area have raised concerns over the increasing mosquito menace and vector-borne diseases due to the stagnant water. TOI visited the spot on Sunday and observed water accumulating on the dug-up stretch where the new flyover will be built. The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), as a precautionary measure, has barricaded the entire stretch. Meanwhile, the demolition of the flyover over the level crossings 571 and 572, and between them, has not yet been completed. TOI reported on June 8 that the demolition work of the flyover over the railway lines was stuck in red tape due to pending permission from the railways. The Pachpaoli flyover demolition started in mid-April. "The demolition was supposed to be completed within a month, but it is still not fully completed. Meanwhile, the reconstruction of the new flyover is also going at a snail's pace. Now, the road they dug up for construction has been filled with water since Wednesday. They have not yet cleared it. This will breed mosquitoes and further add to the inconvenience of citizens," said Vinod Shahu. Another local pointed out that the stagnant water can lead to a bad smell and vector-borne diseases. "We are already facing air and noise pollution because of ongoing work as it is a congested area. If this water is not cleared, it will further lead to health issues for locals," said a resident. Meanwhile, the rains also created problems for the ongoing work as many dug pits have been filled with water, hindering the work. The NHAI has started the construction of the new flyover and even installed a few piers for it, but the majority of the work is still pending. TOI made multiple attempts to contact NHAI officials, but they did not respond. The Pachpaoli flyover is currently being demolished for the building of the longer Kamal Chowk to Reshmibagh flyover, which is part of the Rs 998 crore Indora to Dighori project, aimed at decongesting North and South Nagpur. Under the project, two flyovers are being built — Kamal Chowk to Reshibagh and Bhande Plot Square to Dighori — and they will significantly reduce travel time from Indora to Dighori.
