Delhi Metro faces 26/11 type threat in first 10 days of 2014 - vancouverdesi.com

Delhi Metro faces 26/11 type threat in first 10 days of 2014

FAIZAN HAIDAR
HINDUSTAN TIMES

Metro security in India’s capital city of New Delhi have doubled its staff after a Military Intelligence (MI) warning of a possible attack in the first 10 days of 2014, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) sources have told the Hindustan Times.

The alert, which came on December 31 warned of a terror attack reminiscent of the 2008 Mumbai attack, also referred to as 26/11, a shooting and bombing attack that lasted four days, killing 166 people and wounding at least 308.

The Dec. 31 alert in Delhi warned of an attack in the next 10 days, forcing the CISF to conduct pat-down searches on suspicious-looking passengers over and above frisking and baggage scan.

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A similar alert was received for the airport, where the MI had warned of a hijack attempt by the Indian Mujahideen to secure the release of its arrested lynchpin, Yasin Bhatkal. The CISF takes alerts from the military most seriously, and strong steps have been taken to prevent such an attack.

The CISF, which has over 5,000 personnel for the security of 140 metro stations across the NCR, has increased the shift duration of the staff.

“We have personnel working in three shifts. Their eight-hour shifts have been increased to 10 hours so that we have more hands at any given point,” said a senior CISF official, requesting anonymity.

Security has especially been increased at the interchange stations such as Ashok Park Main, Inderlok, Kirti Nagar, Rajiv Chowk, Kashmere Gate and Central Secretariat, which are also more crowded.

Extra Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) have been put in place as well.

“The alert talks about the possibility of a Mumbai-type attack on a Delhi metro. We are concentrating mainly on the outside security because it is impossible for someone to carry a weapon beyond the check-point. We already have 100 per cent frisking and baggage screening in place. Now, the guards have been asked to pat down suspicious passengers,” the official added.

More than two million passengers use the Delhi metro daily and besides the CISF, the Delhi police too guard the outer periphery of these stations.

The dog squad and the bomb disposal squad are also doing extra shifts to prevent an attack. There are over 5,300 cameras at the various metro stations.

There are 34 members in the CISF’s dog squad and 67 QRTs with commandos.

http://www.vancouverdesi.com/news/delhi-metro-faces-2611-type-threat-in-first-10-days-of-2014/692192/

Raise FSI near stations: Ajit - Times of India

Raise FSI near stations: Ajit

TNN Dec 14, 2013, 01.27AM IST

MUMBAI: Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar wants higher floor space index (FSI) around the city's railway stations.

The senior NCP politician made the suggestion on Friday. "Such a move will reduce congestion and pollution. Why can't we think along these lines when we have started building new Metro rail stations?" he said.

Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Friday supported the idea of higher floor space index (FSI) such as up to 10-15 around the railway stations in Mumbai on the lines of the one consumed in other major cities across the world.

This according to Pawar would help reduce traffic, overall congestion, pollution. "Why can't we think on these lines when we have already started building new metro rail stations in Mumbai and looking into the needs of urbanisation in the megacity," he said.

While interacting with media Pawar said possibility of hiked FSI around stations should be explored to deal with increasing urbanization as had been done in America and Europe.

"Many foreign countries have used FSI up to 15 by upgrading the resources needed for urban settlements," he added. Replying to a query over the political issues, Pawar said the final decision on alliance in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections would be decided by party supremo Sharad Pawar and Congress President Sonia Gandhi. "If state Congress leaders want to contest all the 48 seats independently, then they can go ahead," he said.

When asked about the issue of regularizing illegal constructions under the new cluster policy in Mumbai and other cities, he said, "It outright regularization of all illegal constructions was not possible as strengthening civic amenities and public safety were key priorities for the government". Ajit supported doling out concessions to promote affordable housing and make projects commercially viable and attractive, government will explore the scope within the legal framework," he added. To a query regarding seat sharing for the general election, Ajit said NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Congress president Sonia Gandhi would decide on the distribution. -Chittaranjan Tembhekar

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-12-14/mumbai/45189295_1_ajit-pawar-sharad-pawar-railway-stations

Elevated rail corridor survey underway -Times of India

Elevated rail corridor survey underway

TNN Jan 4, 2014, 04.55AM IST

MUMBAI: Railway India Technical and Economic Services (RITES), a consultancy arm of the Indian Railways, is conducting a traffic survey for the Churchgate-Virar elevated rail corridor.

The Rs 25,000-crore project to be implemented on public private partnership model has been put on hold after the state government questioned its need. It argued that the Metro III project between Colaba and Seepz partially traverses on alignment similar to the elevated corridor.

After a meeting between the PM and chief minister Prithiviraj Chavan, it was decided that fresh traffic survey would be undertaken. Railway board chairman Arunendra Kumar said, "RITES is conducting as traffic survey." A WR official said, "The raw data establishes the feasibility but we want this to authenticated by RITES."

Kumar is in Mumbai to review the performance and projects of WR, CR and Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation. He has also met general manager of the six zones, chief minister and state chief secretary.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2014-01-04/mumbai/45859553_1_traffic-survey-corridor-indian-railways

BMC chief takes stock of Metro corridor - DNA

BMC chief takes stock of Metro corridor

Saturday, Jan 4, 2014, 12:58 IST | Agency: DNA

Sitaram Kunte inspects Metro corridor

Senior Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials on Friday visited the Metro rail corridor between Saki Naka and Ghatkopar to check the passenger dispersal system and other arrangements that needs to be made before the Versova — Andheri — Ghatkopar is commissioned for public use.

Civic chief Sitaram Kunte, deputy additional municipal commissioner SVR Srinivas and chief engineer (road) Dattatreya Dixit were among those who visited the spot.

According to an official, there are issues related to passenger dispersal system at Asalfa and Jagruti Nagar stations, which need to be sorted out with the civic body. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) wants to implement Station Area Traffic Improvement Scheme (SATIS), for which changes need to be made to the road and pavement.

“The joint visit of the BMC and MMRDA officials focused on dispersal system that needs to be in place,” said Dilip Kawathkar, spokesperson of MMRDA.

A civic official said, “We are looking into issues brought to our notice by MMRDA. We will work to improve the station areas and adjacent approach roads.”

Since mid-2013, MMRDA has undertaken the SATIS project for 12 Metro stations, but had to face many hurdles due to narrow pavements and roads.

Chakala Metro Station is 2 km from Chakala - Mumbai Mirror

Chakala Metro Station is 2 km from Chakala
By Virat Singh, Mumbai Mirror | Jan 4, 2014, 01.09 AM IST

Ironically, Chakala Metro Station is just metres away from JB Nagar bus stop

Residents of JB Nagar in Andheri (E) say naming the station in their area after a place located two km away will lead to chaos; plan protest march on Sunday to put pressure on Metro One, MMDRA officials.

Residents of JB Nagar in Andheri (E) are up in arms against Mumbai Metro One Private Limited and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) for naming the Metro station in their area Chakala Metro Station and not JB Nagar Metro Station. 

Chakala, also in Andheri (E), is located around two kilometres from JB Nagar, and residents say the misnaming will cause confusion and chaos once the Metro is thrown open to the public. Ironically, Chakala Metro Station is just metres away from JB Nagar bus stop. 

Some residents have now decided to organise a protest march on Sunday to have the name changed, claiming Metro rail officials ignored their letters on the subject. 

Ashok Pai, a resident of JB Nagar and a citizen activist, said, "It's strange that the authourities have named a Metro station located in a prominent locality called JB Nagar after another locality called Chakala, which is around two kilometres away. This will create confusion among people unfamiliar with the two areas. We have written many letters asking for the name to be changed but to no avail." 

Sheeba Nair, another resident of JB Nagar, who was instrumental in planning the protest march, said the area also has a post office called JB Nagar, and that Chakala Metro Station would stick out like a sore thumb. She said, "Several residents of JB Nagar are extremely upset with this confusion being forced upon them and will stand with placards opposite Chakala Metro Station, demanding it be renamed to JB Nagar Metro Station." She added that residents were deliberately staying away from political parties as they didn't want to make it an political issue. 

Bizarre as it sounds, this isn't the first case of its kind. MMOPL has already changed the names of two stations following protests from residents. 

A resident of Asalpha in Saki Naka said, "The station after Saki Naka had been named Subhash Nagar, when it should have been called Asalpha... it isn't even close to Subhash Nagar. It was only after we decided to take the matter to some senior politicians that MMRDA wrote to us last month saying that Subhash Nagar Station would be remaned to Asalpha Road Station, and the next station, which was earlier called Asalpha Road Station, would be renamed to Jagruti Nagar Station." 

Sources in MMOPL said they had no say when it came to deciding the names of the Metro stations and that their names had been chosen by MMRDA. 

Sanjay Sethi, additional metropolitan commissioner, MMRDA, said, "Since there are complaints from residents we will look into the issue and, based on the merits of their case, take further steps."

Complaint against Metro over debris on Andheri-Kurla Rd - Times of India

Complaint against Metro over debris on Andheri-Kurla Rd

Clara Lewis,TNN | Jan 3, 2014, 05.29 AM IST


MUMBAI: A criminal complaint has been filed against Anil Ambani, bureaucrats Sitaram Kunte and U P S Madan for their failure to remove debris from the Andheri-Kurla road on which the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Mumbai Metro line has been constructed.

The complaint has been filed in the 22 metropolitan magistrate's court at Andheri byNGO WatchDog Foundation and the hearing is posted for January 28. Activist Nicholas Almeida complained the debris had been dumped on the road by the contractors for the Reliance-owned Mumbai Metro One Private Limited. An MMOPL spokesperson said since the construction was over, the road had been handed back toMMRDA in 2012. "Construction debris from other infrastructure sites is being dumped here. We need to check where it is coming from and we will deal with it," Madan said.- Clara Lewis

"As per the Concession Agreement signed between the MMRDA and the MMOPL, it is the obligation of MMOPL to remove debris and keep the entire route free of debris so as not to cause any impediments to the smooth flow of traffic. Further the entire road is marked with potholes and uneven paver blocks," the complaint said.

The complainant has pointed to clauses 8.1 and 8.3 of the Concession Agreement that make it mandatory for MMOPL to adopt good industry practices, remove all surplus construction machinery, material, rubbish, debris, waste and keep the place neat and clean.

. Our responsibility starts from the staircase to the Metro station. The debris is a huge menace. We too have been complaining about it since 2010 and over the past two years have at our expense removed debris on several occasions. This debris is not on account of the Metro work,'' he said adding that debris from other infrastructure project sites was being brought and dumped here with impunity.

K-East ward officer Bhagyashree Kapase said the road was the responsibility of the MMRDA. We have flagged off this problem on several occasions. The municipal commissioner has also raised this problem with the metropolitan commissioner. Not only is the debris a problem, they have even damaged the storm water drains which causes flooding during the monsoon,'' she said.

A MMRDA official said the authority would monitor the metro stretch and ensure that the debris is cleared out and no fresh debris is dumped.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Complaint-against-Metro-over-debris-on-Andheri-Kurla-Rd/articleshow/28304961.cms

Call it Mumbai Metro, not Reliance Metro: MMRDA to Rinfra - DNA

Call it Mumbai Metro, not Reliance Metro: MMRDA to Rinfra

Thursday, Jan 2, 2014, 7:11 IST | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA

DNA Correspondent
  

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) seems to have put its foot down by asking Reliance Infrastructure (RInfra)-led Mumbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL) to change metro rail logo and name from “Reliance Metro” to “Mumbai Metro”.
“On December 31, we have sent a letter to RInfra, asking them to change the logo of metro rail from Reliance Metro to Mumbai Metro,” revealed Dilip Kawathkar, spokesperson for the development authority.
According to MMRDA authorities, the demand is well within the concession agreement signed between the state government and RInfra as the fine print states that the project should be titled as ‘Mumbai Metro’, which the MMOPL has been ignoring.
On May 4, 2013, dna had reported about the dispute over logo and refusal by RInfra to change its name.
When contacted, an MMOPL spokesperson said, “We have not received any such official communication from MMRDA. Display of the brand name of the promoter of the company, which includes Reliance and MMRDA, is well within the contract conditions and industry practice.”
According to RTI activist Anil Galgali, who has been trying for rectification of logo and project name, metro rail is a public-private partnership and like ‘Mumbai Monorail’, this too should be called ‘Mumbai Metro’. The logo has to change to ‘Mumbai Metro’, no other name is acceptable, he maintains.