Latest news with #RVNL
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Metro stops work after VIP Rd residents' waterlogging plea
Kolkata: Orange Line work near Haldiram flyover on VIP Road was stalled after residents of a high-rise next to the metro alignment complained that their water supply system was damaged following subsidence due to piling or foundation work, which requires deep digging. RVNL has engaged JU experts to conduct a health audit. Residents of Anupama Housing Society on VIP Road said they requested RVNL, which is implementing the New Garia-Airport Line, to stop work after noticing some ground settlement that seemed to have damaged the concrete underground reservoir and connecting pipeline a few days ago. "The ground settlement can be spotted along a stretch at our housing complex. The concrete paving has given way, leading to a 4-inch gap. We asked RVNL to appoint a third-party of experts to address it," said a resident. "When the centrifugal pump and connecting pipelines were damaged, we called in local technicians to temporarily restore the system. But we need a permanent solution," said another resident. A section of the metro viaduct (on which tracks are laid) grazes the housing complex. Residents have been flagging safety concerns over the last few years — the one relating to piling work for construction of Pier 822L being the most recent. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Here's The Average Price of a 6-Hour Gutter Guards Upgrade Read More Undo "Piling work involves creating a deep foundation system by driving or boring structural elements (piles) into the ground. The piles transfer the load of a structure to more stable soil or rock layers, particularly when the upper soil is weak," an engineer said. An official of Metro Railway said, "As desired by residents of Anupama Housing Complex, JU experts have initiated an assessment of the blocks. The only subsidence we are aware of is the one that was caused by heavy rain sometime back, and the housing society's boundary wall was damaged. At that time, work on a pile cap was on next to it. As a precautionary measure, steel casings have been installed around each pile near the housing society. " A pile cap is a reinforced concrete structure that sits on top of a group of piles. Its primary function is to distribute load from superstructure evenly across piles, ensuring they work together. The official said RVNL built another pile, 3.6m away from the one near Haldiram flyover.
Indian Express
13-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
RVNL in talks with Russia's Rosatom to build nuclear reactors for its 4 big railway projects
Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL), a public sector undertaking (PSU) of the Ministry of Railways, is in discussion with Russia's state-owned atomic energy company Rosatom to build Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) to fulfill the energy requirements of its four ongoing mega projects, including the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag line. A senior RVNL official said that a meeting was held on Thursday with the Russian company in this regard. He further said that push towards nuclear energy is part of this year's Budget announcement to develop SMRs to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and Indian Railways' target to achieve net-zero by 2030. SMRs are advanced nuclear reactors with a power capacity of up to 300 MW per unit and require less area for installation. The official said SMRs are also part of RVNL's plan to expand its interest and work in the energy sector. 'The process is very much at preliminary stage. We held a detailed meeting with Rosatom on Thursday. Some senior officials from the Russian Embassy were also present in the meeting. They have put up a proposal to build nuclear reactor of 55 MW. We have asked them to provide cost analysis in comparison to existing system of electricity supply for Railway traction. Rosatom will also submit logistical details, timeline, etc. The Russian company is among the leaders for SMRs. Because of this, RVNL initiated the dialogue with Rosatom,' said the official quoted above. The official added that a total of four projects has been identified for electricity supply by SMRs. 'If everything works out, we have decided to build SMRs for the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag line, Bhanupali-Bilaspur railway line, Yavatmal-Nanded railway line and Indore-Budni Railway line. Under the existing system, we have to build many substations and lay transmission lines for the operation of trains. It involves a significant expenditure per project. If the SMRs will be built for this purpose, the preliminary analysis shows that it will save cost and provide green energy,' said the official. Rosatom has proposed to build a total of eight SMRs of 55 MW each for these four Railway project. 'These four projects have been identified on the basis that they are new line project and comparatively larger projects. Rishikesh-Karnaprayag line is of strategic importance. It will take an area of 15 acres for a single reactor, which is much less than the larger nuclear reactor. Also it will not have any impact in the area which falls in seismic zone such as Rishikesh project,' said the official. Union Budget 2025-26 launched a Nuclear Energy Mission, which is focused on research and development (R&D) of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). The government has allocated Rs. 20,000 crore for this initiative, aiming to develop at least five indigenously designed and operational SMRs by 2033. The government has set an ambitious target of 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047, positioning nuclear energy as a major pillar in India's energy mix. Indian Railways have also shown interest in Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL)'s bid to develop Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs), which is 220 MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) with a proven safety and performance record. Dheeraj Mishra is a Principal correspondent with The Indian Express, Business Bureau. He covers India's two key ministries- Ministry of Railways and Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. He frequently uses the Right to Information (RTI) Act for his stories, which have resulted in many impactful reports. ... Read More
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Orange, Yellow Lines set to meet 400m ahead of airport station
Kolkata: Even as the Metro Yellow Line from Noapara to the airport awaits inspection by the Commission of Railway Safety (CRS) that will pave the way for its commissioning, work is set to commence on the convergence of the New Garia-Airport Orange Line's Up and Down tracks alongside those of the Yellow Line. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This convergence in a sub-terranian tunnel, which will happen around 400m from the station. Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL), which is implementing the Orange Line, has taken a three-day traffic block on the airport-bound access road. It will dismantle the median divider that separates the two flanks and shift a portion of the airport-bound flank to the other one that leads traffic from the airport to the city. Thereafter, each flank that currently comprises three lanes will be temporarily reduced to two lanes. Two lanes will then be handed over to RVNL so that it can dig up the ground and execute the seamless convergence of the twin lines into the tunnel leading to the airport station. "While reinforced concrete boxes are being pushed under the airport road to build the Orange Line tunnel without disturbing the airport traffic, we need around 7.5 m width of the airport-bound flank for the convergence through cut-and-cover method so that the Orange Line tracks converge at the same level as that of the Yellow Line," an official explained. To undertake the convergence tunnel construction, airport-bound traffic will have to be diverted to the right after exiting the right turn flyover from VIP Road. However, with the airport-bound flank and the one leading out of the airport at different levels, Afcons that is contracted to construct the 900m underground section of the Orange Line has to first level out the two flanks. "After the two flanks are levelled, around two-third of the flank leading to the airport will be used as the metro construction site," the official said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "At the stakeholder meeting, we have asked RVNL and Bidhannagar police to maintain coordination among themselves to ensure passengers coming in and out of the airport are not affected by the metro work outside the airport," Kolkata airport director Pravat Ranjan Beuria said.
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Business Standard
09-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
IRCON, RVNL: Disconnect between fundamentals, valuations of railway stocks
The sharp rally in the railway-related stocks thus far in fiscal 2025-26 (FY26) has been on account of an overall uptick in the stocks of mid-and small-caps and lacks fundamental support, argues a recent report by Kotak Institutional Equities, and warns of a 'large disconnect' between the fundamentals and the valuations of railway stocks. 'We see a large disconnect between the fundamentals and valuations of the railway companies. PSU railway stocks trade at several times book value (net worth) and at very rich price-earnings (P/E) multiples. The valuations are very hard to reconcile with the financials and growth prospects of the companies,' wrote Sanjeev Prasad, managing director & co-head at Kotak Institutional Equities in a recent coauthored note with Anindya Bhowmik and Sunita Baldawa. Cash and investments, the note said, accounted for 25 per cent of the book value at end-FY25 and other income accounted for 12 per cent of the pre-tax profits of the railway stocks in FY25. DETAILED VALUATION GRAPHIC HERE Thus far in FY26, most railway-related stocks have seen a sharp rally, with Railtel Corporation of India surging nearly 47 per cent during this period. Ircon International, Rites Ltd., Texmaco Rail, Rail Vikas Nigam (RVNL), Titagarh Rail Systems and Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) moved up 17 per cent to 40 per cent, ACE Equity data shows. In comparison, the Nifty 50 index has gained 6.3 per cent, while the Nifty CPSE index has moved up 6.7 per cent during this period, data shows. Midcap mania Rally in the railway stocks, the Kotak note said, is attributed to the general excitement and euphoria in the small-and midcap (SMID) stocks, which has resulted in several narratives across sectors that are dominated by SMID stocks. Market capitalization (market-cap) of the 7 railway stocks (IRFC, RailTel, IRCON, RITE, Jupiter Wagons, Titagarh Wagons and RVNL) studied by Kotak stood at Rs 3.6 trillion as on June 5 versus book value of Rs 784 billion and net profit of Rs 99 billion in FY25. "The market is clearly not making any distinction across sectors and stocks, as long as they fit into some prevailing narrative (defense, electrification, manufacturing, railways). Many of the 'narrative' stocks are largely owned by retail shareholders, which may partly explain the periodic bouts of extreme volatility in the stocks," Prasad wrote. Capex plans Going ahead, Kotak does not see a meaningful pick-up in railway capex, which could bolster the earnings of related companies and justify the steep premium they command at the bourses. Indian Railways, Prasad feels, may have largely maximized the capacity of its extant railway network with large investments in rolling stock and track over the past 10 years. Moreover, he feels there is low visibility on new projects such as a high-speed railway network on the lines of dedicated freight corridors or the upcoming Ahmedabad-Mumbai high-speed line. The outlay for railway capex stood at Rs 2,426 billion in FY24, Rs 2,519 billion in FY25 revised estimates (RE) and Rs 2,520 billion in FY26 budget estimates (BE), the Kotak note said. "The bulk of the capex of the railway sector is captured in the central government budget, with only a portion of capex pertaining to metro projects captured under a different head of government spending. Even spending on metro has not seen a meaningful pickup," the note said.
Time of India
08-06-2025
- Time of India
Warner Bros. Discovery Showcases the Making of India's Iconic Pamban Bridge with RVNL
At the southernmost tip of India, where the Bay of Bengal embraces the Gulf of Mannar, lies the island of Rameswaram — a land steeped in mythology, devotion, and timeless beauty. Nestled between the mainland town of Mandapam and the sacred shores of Rameswaram, a marvel of modern engineering has quietly risen: the New Pamban Bridge. This story of steel, salt, and spirit is now being vividly brought to life by Warner Bros. Discovery and Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), in a special feature titled 'Engineering Wonders: The Pamban Saga – A Marvel of Steel, A Testament to Progress.' For over a century, the Pamban stretch has been more than just a crossing—it has been a vital lifeline. Since the original bridge opened in 1914, it has carried not only trains but also traditions—ferrying pilgrims to the revered Ramanathaswamy Temple and sustaining generations of fishermen and traders whose lives are intimately tied to these waters. But time and tide spare no structure. Ravaged by relentless cyclones and the demands of a modernizing world, the old bridge had reached its limits. Enter the new Pamban Bridge: India's first vertical lift railway Sea Bridge, a bold statement of vision and resilience. Crafted with cutting-edge technology at its core, this new structure redefines what is possible in coastal infrastructure. 'Rameswaram holds profound cultural and economic significance, especially for the many fishing communities that depend on the Pamban channel,' said Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways. 'Building a bridge in such a challenging marine environment—with salt-laden winds, powerful waves, and extended monsoons—required extraordinary engineering. Every part, from foundation to superstructure, was meticulously designed. Collaborating with some of the world's finest engineers, we have created a bridge that reflects the spirit of a New India—forward-looking, ambitious, and capable.' The bridge's location posed immense challenges. Set in an unforgiving marine zone marked by fierce winds, corrosive salt air, and unpredictable tides, the engineering feat was anything but ordinary. Vertical lift technology—a first in India and only the second of its kind worldwide—was chosen for its unique ability to allow both ships and trains to pass seamlessly, ensuring uninterrupted maritime traffic. To capture this momentous transformation, Warner Bros. Discovery was granted rare access by RVNL, gaining exclusive access to document the construction and the stories behind it. 'Bringing the story of this iconic bridge to the screen has been an inspiring journey,' shared Tanaz Mehta, Head of Advertising Revenues, South Asia, Warner Bros. Discovery. 'This project gave us a chance to go beyond engineering—to capture the heart, heritage, and hope that the New Pamban Bridge symbolizes for so many. It's a story of an India moving forward—firmly rooted in its past, yet confidently reaching toward the future.' More than a technical showcase, the film is a human story—tracing the hands, minds, and dreams behind every bolt and beam. It delves into the challenges of building deep at sea, the environmental considerations shaping every decision, and the spirit of innovation driving progress. As the new bridge stands tall over the Palk Strait—stronger, smarter, and built to last a century—the documentary reminds us that infrastructure is more than just connectivity. It is legacy. Set to premiere on 7 June 7PM on Discovery Channel under the IP- Engineering Wonders , the episode 'The Pamban Saga – A Marvel of Steel, A Testament to Progress' promises a visual journey inviting the nation to celebrate what we can achieve when vision, determination, and engineering brilliance come together. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
