MP government presses for Metro’s first run in 2018
The first phase of the Metro rail projects in Bhopal and Indore will be completed by 2018, state chief secretary Anthony de Sa said on Thursday.
The first phase of the Metro rail projects in Bhopal and Indore will be completed by 2018, state chief secretary Anthony de Sa said on Thursday.
Chairing a meeting at Vallabh Bhawan in which top state government officials and representatives from Japan railway were present, de Sa said the state government was keen to start operations by 2018.
Japanese delegates, including representatives from representative from the ministry of economy, trade and industry, the railway bureau of the ministry of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism however, were not sure about the deadline, said they will like to proceed with the project in a “step by step” manner.
The Japanese team made presentations about how they would fund and implement the projects.
The proposals will have to be vetted by the Union ministry of urban development’s external aid division.
A second round of presentation was held at the urban development department in which representatives from the 4 Japanese companies participated.
While the Bhopal Metro will have a two covering a distance of 90km the Indore Metro will have six lines, including a circular line that will be developed first.
The metro will cover neighbourhoods having the maximum population density and connect satellite townships being developed in the two cities. Parking lots will be developed around the metro stations. More than 90% of material used for the construction will be recyclable. Both the metros will run between 5am and midnight. Japan international Co-operation Agency will finance the projects in the form of soft loans at low interest rates.
Finance
First phase of Bhopal Metro to cost Rs 6,962 crore
First phase of Indore Metro to cost Rs 8,200 crore
20% finance of project to be provided by the Union government
20% by state government
60% by JICA