Noida Authority approves extension of Metro's line 8

The Noida Authority on Monday gave in principle approval for extension of proposed line 8 — Janakpuri to Kalindi Kunj — up to Botanical Garden in Noida Sector 32.

The Noida Authority on Monday gave in principle approval for extension of proposed line 8 — Janakpuri to Kalindi Kunj — up to Botanical Garden in Noida Sector 32.

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While the Delhi cabinet and the group of ministers have already given its approval to the project, senior DMRC officials said approval and signing of memorandum of understanding between the Noida Authoirty officials and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is mandatory to ensure immediate construction.

The 3.7-kilometre extension will have just one station en route — tentatively named as Amity Metro station for its proximity to Amity University — and will end at the existing Botanical Garden Metro station. The extension is likely to cost R786 crore.

While the DMRC will bear the cost of the rolling stock and operational expenditure, the Noida Authority will have to pay for the construction and will have to provide land for construction of the Metro line and the stations.

The extension will reduce the distance and travelling time between south Delhi and Noida. Running parallel to outer Ring Road in Delhi, the proposed Janakpuri West — Noida corridor will cut through some prominent residential and commercial hubs in south Delhi.

Senior DMRC officials said the section will benefit a large number of people who travel between Noida and south Delhi every day.

"This corridor will have two inter-change stations — at Kalkaji on Badarpur line and at Hauz Khas on Gurgaon line —which help people move anywhere in south and central Delhi from Noida and Greater Noida and vice-versa in matter of just few minutes," said a senior DMRC official.

Since the Noida Authority is also planning construction of its own light rail transit system between Noida and Greater Noida, this line would virtually bring Greater Noida and south Delhi very close to each other.

The 37.2-kilometre corridor — 33.5-km in Delhi and 3.7-km in Noida — will have 24 elevated and 12 underground stations. The line will also serve as an alternate to Dwarka — Noida section for people who travel between west Delhi and Noida.