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India is witnessing massive transformation in the railways as well as overall transport sector. The Metro Rail sector is developing new techniques to further push the transformation drive, shares Shri U J M Rao (IRAS), Managing Director, Andhra Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. in an exclusive interview with Nisha Samant of Elets News Network (ENN).

Sir, could you please tell us briefly about you and your current assignment?

I am an All India Civil Services IRAS – (Indian Railways) cadre officer having served for 37 years in this meritorious service by virtue of taking up challenging and special assignments in Railways. I am now positioned as the Managing Director of The Andhra Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Ltd, a State-owned Corporation of Andhra Pradesh. Academically, I possess an MBA with distinction in Project Management and Finance Management, M.A (Public Administration) and am qualified in advanced professional courses.

As Managing Director, I am currently looking after four major metro rail and other urban transportation projects which are under implementation in Andhra Pradesh worth more than Rs. 40,000 Cr in value.

Sir, will you please share with us some important events and experiences in Indian Railways?

Well, I always feel proud to have worked for a 180 yr-old gigantic organisation – the Indian Railways. During my service, I acquired in-depth knowledge and working experience in all facets of the rail industry, since I got opportunities as a L e a d i n g Team member of the techno-economic traffic survey in the Ananthagiri forests and hilly ghat sections, in the construction of Koraput- Rayagada new railway line, in the railway production units, railway electrification of un-electrified sections, commercial operations & maintenance wing and also in the Head Office where I was involved in the formulation of policies, rules & procedures on the railway working systems. I have also got the opportunity to act as Public Relations Officer, Vigilance Officer, and Sports & Cultural Officer which helped in building a wide network of contacts and enhancing my communication skills. Incidentally, I am happy to share with you that my achievements in the special (difficult) assignments I handled, the articles and write-ups I had contributed to the system and for my leadership qualities earned me 13 prestigious awards and rewards during my service in Railways.

Sir, could you describe some of the sustainability initiatives that have been implemented in the Andhra Pradesh Metro Rail System and how they have helped to reduce the system’s carbon footprint?

The Government of Andhra Pradesh has planned four eco-friendly Mass Transportation Projects in the State and the responsibility for implementation of these major Infrastructure Projects on priority has been entrusted to my SPV (corporation). Following are the Projects:

(i) Light Metro Rail Project (Elevated) in Visakhapatnam City for 76.90 km length with an estimated project cost of Rs.14,309 Cr.
(ii) MetroLite (Modern Catenary Free Tram) Project for 60.05 km in Visakhapatnam & VMRDA area at an approx. cost of Rs.6,104 Cr.
(iii) Light Metro Rail Project (Elevated) in Vijayawada City for 38 km length at an estimated project cost of Rs.10,263 Cr
(iv) Semi-High Speed Circular Suburban Rail Service between Vijayawada – Guntur-Tenali region for 108 km length with a project cost of Rs.9,979 Cr.

All the above projects are Pollution-free and Eco-friendly projects aimed at greatly reducing the carbon footprint in these thickly populated cities. AP Metro Rail Corporation has been working on the projects, making them very much cost-effective and financially sustainable public transport systems. A number of cost saving measures have been adopted to implement the systems on the fiscal principles of value- formoney.

How do you ensure that safety remains a top priority in the operations and maintenance of the metro rail system, and that all employees are trained and equipped to handle emergency situations?

For any mass rapid public transportation system, safety and punctuality are the top most priorities in system operations. Especially, in the case of Metro Rail System, these factors are of utmost importance for metro rail management, as the services are meant for city daily commuters.

Hence, the most modern technology in operations and maintenance are being adopted to ensure zero failure policy. I would like to mention some important measures taken by APMRC in this regard, for information of the readers.

(a) In the construction of elevated via ducts, the prefabricated ‘ U ’ –girder technology is adopted in that the girders are manufactured at a central location away from the work-site instead of on-site construction in the traffic ridden roads and assembled / fixed on the alignment pillars overnight. This type of arrangement would not only saves time, but also helps in avoiding traffic interruptions.
(b) The third rail power supply system instead of OHE power supply saves a lot in the OPex towards huge repairs & maintenance costs.
(c) The CBTC signalling and the driverless operation systems ensure 100% safety and save manpower costs significantly.
(d) AFC (Automatic Fare Collection) system linked to smart city travel card software system would enable smooth & seamless travel and saves travel time on different modes of public transports.
(e) Even the last mile connectivity being planned at metro stations. EV buses, EV autos and bicycles have been introduced in order to maintain a pollution-free environment.

Lastly, how do you see the role of technology evolving in the railway and metro rail industries in the next 5-10 years, and how is Andhra Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited preparing for these changes?

Many technological improvements are happening around the world. The rail and metro rail industries are developing new techniques, on the principle of life saving cost of assets, equipment and the plant & machinery used, IT based user-friendly devices etc. The research and development wing of railways and metro railways have put up their best efforts on these parameters. In fact technological developments is a never ending process. These latest cost, time and space-saving designs have turned the capital intensive metro rail projects into an affordable transport system. Similarly, in the recent past, the railway industry has also geared up and using the recently home-grown technological inventions, making significant progress in the field level. Future technological innovations are focused more on 100% safety, high speed services for passengers and fright traffic, costeffective and user-friendly measures.

Some of the notable developments in the recent past are –
(i) New safety devices are the emergency talk back system for guard-driver communication, panic button in trains for passengers’ communication to the train crew.
(ii) Energy efficient LED train lighting for better illumination in coaches, train indicator boards and at other places.
(iii) The heavy span girder launching equipment making construction works faster and efficient.
(iv) Multipurpose track laying machines for p-way formation in the quickest spell.
(v) Self propelled OHE laying train (SPOLT) in railway electrification works.
(vi) In rolling stock, asset management system has been introduced i.e. optimum utilisation of locomotives, passenger Coaches, Wagons and the crew by monitoring effectively.
(vii) LHB coaches are being procured in large numbers, as these coaches are designed to ensure full safety to passengers even in derailments.
(viii)GPS based passenger announcement / information system is implemented.
(ix) Train-18 is successfully running on IR tracks and the Hydrogen Trains is the future innovation to look for.

Future Developments:

Indian Railways is currently pursuing on:
1. Automated test trains for track monitoring while running at a speed of even 320 kmph.
2. ETCS signalling system with equipment on board.
3. Using the latest digital solutions like 5G, big data, IoT automation, AI and block chain technology with full protection of privacy and security for the data.

It is heartening to note that Indian Rail & Metro Rail Companies are executing projects in other countries also by deploying trained men and machinery, Iinter-alia, helping increase the foreign exchange reserves of our country.

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