Gurgaon Rapid Metro may roll out from October 2

India's first privately funded and operated Rapid Metro service is expected to start operations from October 2. The much-awaited metro promises better connectivity to the people of Gurgaon. Dhananjay Jha and Himabindu Reddy report.

India's first privately funded and operated Rapid Metro service is expected to start operations from October 2. The much-awaited metro promises better connectivity to the people of Gurgaon.

The commissioner of Metro railway safety (CMRS) was yet to give a green signal to start the service but the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) had already conducted trials and necessary tests, Rapid Metro Gurgaon Limited (RMGL) officials said.

The facility was supposed to start in March but was postponed. "The high-speed trials by the RDSO are over and we are waiting for a final report. We will then approach the CMRS for a final inspection of the rapid metro system after which the facility will be available to the commuters," said RMGL spokesperson.

However, the RMGL officials are tight-lipped about the October 2 launch since it has already missed two deadlines. It has pinned its hopes on the CMRS for the approval.

A highly-placed source told HT that if everything goes right, the service will start from the decided date.

"The Rapid Metro network is likely to boost connectivity and nearly nine lakh employees working in multinational companies in the Cyber City will benefit from it," said a senior official, adding that the service would ease around 30% of the existing road traffic.