Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan who is looking forward to bring Metro train to Bhopal and Indore took funding proposal to Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in New Delhi on Wednesday. Chouhan discussed a proposal for funding the two Metro projects through European Investment Bank (EIB) and through the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Chouhan told the Finance Minister that the DPR of Metro Project has been deposited in both the cities and the foreign institution ADB and Investment Board has also been contacted for loan. Chouhan urged for contacting both the institutions and getting the loan released at the earliest.
Jaitley listened to both topics seriously and assured to take necessary action at the earliest.
The twin Metro rail projects will be administered and managed by Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Company limited (MPMRCl). Chouhan will be the Chairman of the project while Urban Development Minister and the Mayors of Bhopal and Indore will be its members.
Madhya Pradesh's Public Relations Minister Narottam Mishra told reporters that MPMRCl will take a loan of 60 per cent of the cost while the State and Central Governments will each pay 20 per cent of the cost.
Vivek Agrawal, Commissioner of the Urban Administration and Development (UAD) said that the Bhopal Metro Rail Project will cost Rs 22,504.55 crore. Bhopal Metro rail will run on seven routes and will have a length of 95.03 km, of this 84.83 km will be elevated. The first phase of Bhopal Metro will run on two routes and is expected to cost Rs 6,962 crores.
The Indore Metro rail, on the other hand, will have a total length of 104 kilometers. The estimated cost of this Metro project is Rs 26,762.21 crore.
Chouhan had told officials linked to the Metro project to expedite work on the two projects while ensuring the economic viability of the plan, according to an Indian Express report.
Chouhan also made a demand for opening of two Sainik Schools in the Chambal Division to Jaitley who is also Defence Minister. Chouhan said that while the opening of Sainik Schools in this region will remove inequality, it will also remove the lack of representation of Madhya Pradesh in the Armed Forces officer cadre.
Jaitley congratulated Chouhan for Indore and Bhopal acquiring the first and second position in the Cleanliness Survey.