With Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and UP Government inking the extension of Metro Rail to Greater Noida, the construction on this corridor is expected to gain momentum. The construction work of 29.7-kilometre stretch could be started in May this year as the Greater Noida Industrial development Authority (GNIDA), in its board meeting, cleared the last hurdle by approving the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Detailed Project Report (DPR). The construction work will be carried by newly formed Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC).
The officials of Greater Noida Authority said that the approval was important for laying foundation of the project before imposition of model code of conduct ahead of parliamentary elections. Now the NMRC can move further and can start tendering process any point of time. “As the concerned authorities had given their go ahead earlier, Greater Noida Authority, appointed as nodal agency for expediting Metro expansion, gave its final consent after going through the DPR and other formalities.
Harish Verma, Additional CEO of Greater Noida Authority, said that efforts were being made to start work on Metro rail project connecting Noida and Greater Noida. Decks have cleared with the approval of necessary documents and the work is likely to start by May and the entire work is expected to be completed in three to four years period. “As the population of the region is increasing gradually, there is a need to improve the public transport system. The proposed Metro will not only provide improved means of public transport but also help in decongesting the route. With the commencement of project the region will be connected with the national Capital with the Metro network,” said the ACEO.
Both Noida and Greater Noida authorities had announced Metro link between these two cities in January last year and the proposal was approved by the UP Cabinet in October. A total Rs 5,097 crore will be spent on the project out of which 50 per cent will be funded by the Centre and the remaining will be borne by both authorities.