Govt to start 5 metro rail projects in Bihar, UP and Gujarat

New Delhi, Metro Rail News: The Public Investment Board (PIB) has approved metro rail projects in Agra, Kanpur, Ahmedabad, and Patna. Along with this, the Board has given a green signal to the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Rapid Rail Transit corridor. The Central Government is planning to initiate the development of the proposed projects worth Rs 56,000 crore before the Lok Sabha elections.

officials have shared that the financial implications of the proposed metro rail projects have been approved. The reports have been tabled to the Central Government for the final approval.

The proposed metro rail of Kanpur city will cover IIT, Rawatpur, Bada Chauraha, Motimahal, Kanpur Central, ISBT Jhakarkatti and Naubasta. The Agra Metro project will cost Rs 8,262 crore. The Ahmedabad Metro phase II project will cost Rs 7,500 crore. The government is set to put its final stamp on five metro rail projects across the country- two in UP, one each in Gujarat and Bihar and the first phase of Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS) in NCR – before the poll code of conduct kicks in. The government is also keen to lay the foundation stone for the metro projects involving an investment of approximately Rs 56,000 crore.

One of the major stumbling block in the RRTS project is Delhi government’s stand of not to pay its share. The UT government has claimed it is facing fund crunch. Sources said the Centre is working on a strategy how to overcome this issue including by utilising a portion of the green tax that is collected in the city from heavy and commercial vehicles for entering Delhi .