Last-mile Link Woes: 1 in 3 Metro Users, 35% Bus Riders Spend 30 Minutes to Reach Transit Hubs A survey conducted by RITES has revealed significant challenges in the first-mile and last-mile connectivity for commuters in Nagpur, highlighting persistent gaps in accessibility to public transport hubs. The findings indicate that one in three Metro users and over a third of bus passengers in the city spend up to 30 minutes simply reaching stations and terminals, underscoring the critical role of pedestrian infrastructure in shaping public transport usage. According to the survey, while public transport infrastructure in Nagpur continues to expand, the ease of accessing transit hubs remains a major concern for many commuters. The data shows that 33.2% of Metro users reach stations within 10 minutes, while nearly 28.6%—approximately one in three commuters—take between 15 and 30 minutes to arrive at a station. Applied to Nagpur Metro’s average daily ridership of around 100,000 passengers, this translates to nearly 30,000 commuters spending up to half an hour solely accessing a Metro station. An additional 1.8% of users take over 30 minutes to reach a station before boarding a train. A similar pattern is observed among bus commuters, with 34.7% of passengers spending up to 30 minutes to reach bus terminals. Another 21% require between 30 minutes and an hour, while nearly 12% spend over an hour accessing a terminal before starting their journey. These findings emphasize the broader challenges associated with reaching public transport hubs, which can deter ridership and impact the effectiveness of expanding transit networks. MahaMetro managing director Shravan Hardikar acknowledged the issue, stating that pedestrian infrastructure and accessibility around stations directly influence Metro usage.#nagpur #rites #mahaMetro #shravan_hardikar #metro_users
RITES Secures Letter of Acceptance for Maintenance of India's First High-Speed Test Track Indian Railways’ first high-speed test track has been entrusted to RITES, which has received a Letter of Acceptance (LoA) from the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) in Lucknow. The facility, located between Gudha and Thathana Mithri in the Nawa region of the Jodhpur Division, is approximately 70 km from Jaipur. Developed at a cost of Rs 967 crore, the 64-km-long dedicated test track is designed for comprehensive testing of rolling stock. The project falls under the administrative jurisdiction of the North Western Railway (NWR). The LoA, issued for the comprehensive maintenance contract, will be executed over a period of 60 months from the date of its issuance. The contract value, excluding GST, is Rs 105.69 crore. The facility is expected to support a maximum speed of 220 kmph and includes the construction of seven major bridges, 129 smaller bridges, and four stations—Gudha, Jabdinagar, Nawan, and Mithadi. The entire project is targeted for completion by March 2026. The test track, developed by RDSO, represents a significant milestone in India’s efforts to modernize its rail infrastructure. It will serve as a critical platform for evaluating high-speed train technologies and ensuring the safety and efficiency of future rail projects. The initiative aligns with the government’s broader vision to enhance rail connectivity and reduce travel times across the country. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Railways has made adjustments to the schedule of the Udaipur-Asarva Vande Bharat Express. The semi-high-speed train, introduced last month, now includes a temporary halt at Shamlaji Road Station for the convenience of passengers.#rites #research_designs_and_standards_organisation #north_western_railway #udaipur_asarva_vande_bharat_express #shamlaji_road_station
Summary of Indian Stock Market Performance on March 9, 2026: Major Indices: Sensex: Opened at 78,918.90, fell to 76,492.60 (a 3.07% decline). Key losers: Sri Ram Finance, InterGlob Aviation, Asian Paints, L&T, Adani Ports. Gainers: ONGC, Coal India. Nifty 50: Opened at 24,450.45, dropped to 23,717.65 (a 3% decline). 48 stocks fell, with only Reliance Industries and Coal India showing slight gains. Key Factors Affecting the Market: Geopolitical Tensions: Rising geopolitical risks (e.g., conflicts, trade disputes) led to heightened market volatility. Sector-Wide Sell-Off: All sectors (IT, banking, FMCG, infrastructure, pharma, railways) faced selling pressure. India VIX Surge: The India VIX (volatility index) rose 21.55%, signaling increased investor anxiety and market uncertainty. Notable Company Updates: IRB Infrastructure: Toll revenue surged 21.55% in February to ₹746.1 crore (vs. ₹613.8 crore in February 2025). RITES: Secured revised estimates for railway electrification projects (Mysuru-Hassan-Mangaluru section, including Hassan-Arsikere). Revised project cost: ₹729.28 crore. UltraTech Cement: Entered a new agreement with Sunshine Solar Park Thirty Pvt. Ltd. to acquire 26.20% equity shares. Aim: Meet green energy requirements and comply with regulatory norms for captive power consumption. Market Outlook: The sharp decline reflects risk-off sentiment due to geopolitical uncertainties and weak domestic demand. Investors may focus on defensive sectors (e.g., utilities, consumer staples) and value stocks amid volatility. The revised project estimates for RITES and IRB’s revenue growth could provide short-term support for infrastructure stocks. Investor Takeaway: Short-Term: Market remains volatile; avoid over-leveraging. Long-Term: Focus on fundamentals (e.g., IRB, RITES) and monitor geopolitical developments.#sensex #nifty_50 #indian_stock_market #irb_infrastructure #rites
