Ghatkopar railway station to soon to be integrated with metro station

Finally, the Ghatkopar railway station can be integrated with Ghatkopar metro station as the land row between the Central Railway and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is on a verge of getting resolved.

The integration of both the stations will be done by linking them with a skywalk on the western side of Ghatkopar railway station. The first metro rail of Mumbai stretching 11.4 km will connect Versova with Ghatkopar via Andheri railway station.

"After a meeting with the general manager of Central Railway, the land issue is seen to be getting resolved. We will be paying a certain amount to the railway for the construction work," said UPS Madan, metropolitan commissioner, MMRDA. The railway authorities have issued a bill of Rs18 crore that still needs to be paid.

Last month dna had reported how station integration had been delayed due to problems between the development authority and the railway. Around 1,200 square metres of the land has been used by the Mumbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL)-- consortium comprising of MMRDA, Reliance Infrastructure and Veolia, to erect the metro station building.

It is only earlier this year, the railway officials realised that the road (land) parallel to the railway on the western side is owned by them. This resulted in Ghatkopar skywalk not being connected with the already prepared metro station. As a result, the commuters would have faced a lot of hardship by walking of the foot overbridge only to climb stairs of the metro station and vice-a-versa.

The MMRDA has now approached their counterparts asking for the premium amount, once the amount is paid, the station integration can be carried out.

On the other hand, the MMOPL authorities are waiting for speed, oscillation and brake test certificate from the Research Design and Standards Organisation. Those test were completed by February 12, after testing the systems for 11 days. The reports are likely to be ready by this week.

Thereafter, commissioner for metro rail safety will initiate their round of safety tests and will submit their report.

Delhi Metro Sets Stage for Large-Scale Carbon Finance in Transportation

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has become the first metro and railway system in the world to be registered with The Gold Standard Foundation, serving as a proof of concept for transport systems in developing countries to finance low carbon development.

Delhi Metro’s project, “Energy Efficiency measures in DMRC Phase II stations” was registered with The Gold Standard Foundation based on energy efficiency measures undertaken in 51 station buildings. These measures reside primarily in heating, venting and air conditioning systems, high efficiency lighting, the implementation of sun film, and other energy efficient operating strategies. The result is a tremendous reduction in electrical energy consumption and at least a 25% reduction in CO2 emissions.

Beyond lowering carbon emissions, the project activity is expected to contribute toward India’s Millennium Development Goals. For example, lower energy requirements are designed to reduce thermal air and water pollution and mercury-free lighting is used for healthier soil and better air quality.

Carbon revenues from the project activity will also be directed toward improving the livelihoods of poorer communities. Fixed mandates commit revenue for sustainable development activities in Delhi, including a dormitory, classroom, and playground for homeless children in Tis Hazari, Delhi, a scheme for easy movement of cycle rickshaws from and to metro stations and a shelter for the homeless elderly.

Further benefits toward environmental sustainability are expected to reduce power cuts and fluctuations and provide local employment during installation and ongoing maintenance.

The use of similar energy efficient technologies in future phases of Delhi Metro construction and in upcoming metros in India signals an important technology transfer within the nation and throughout the world.

“The Gold Standard framework has been successfully used in one of the biggest metro systems in India for low carbon development,” says Adrian Rimmer, CEO of The Gold Standard Foundation. “To date, the transportation sector has not been able to adequately access carbon finance either through voluntary or compliance markets. This approval paves the way for other transport systems—not just in developing nations—but also in the developed world to use carbon finance for low carbon development through Gold Standard Certification.”

The Gold Standard Foundation’s Abhishek Goyal, Technical Director for Energy, continues, “We already have a robust framework for certification of outcomes, including greenhouse gas reductions and additional co-benefits at the project level. This is part of our work to develop frameworks for entire sectors like transportation, which would mobilise finance on a much larger scale.”

Delhi Metro is currently working to register additional projects with The Gold Standard.