Next Milestone: Nagpur Metro's Second Phase Ready for Launch in 2 Months
Shravan Hardikar, the Managing Director of Maha Metro, has announced that the upcoming phase of the metro project, containing sections from Lokmanyanagar to Hingna, Khapari to Butibori, and Automotive Chowk to Kamthi, is scheduled to commence within the following two months.
This phase of the metro development is anticipated to incur a total cost of Rs 6,708 crore. The route, stretching across 43.8 km, is projected to incorporate 38 stations. The financing structure involves contributions from multiple entities: the central government and state government each providing 20 per cent, MADC and MIDC contributing 3 per cent each, and an additional 150 crore through Public-Private Partnership (PPP). The remaining funds will be procured through loan arrangements. Notably, Hardikar has affirmed that both the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and European Investment Bank (EIB) are prepared to extend loan support.
Acknowledging concerns about possible delays, Hardikar explained that the process of establishing a memo of understanding for the project is presently in progress. The administrative paperwork is currently being expedited, and once the tender process concludes, substantive construction will be initiated.
Regarding comparisons between the metro and city bus services, Hardikar clarified that these modes of transportation serve distinct purposes. Metro systems cannot access every corner of the city, unlike buses, which have greater reach. Consequently, efforts are necessary to fortify the public transportation network, discouraging private vehicle usage. Hardikar recommended augmenting both the city bus network and the metro system to cater comprehensively to citizens' transportation needs.
On a different note, the advancement of the Kamathi Marg flyover has been impeded by land acquisition issues. However, once these hurdles are surmounted, the remaining work on the flyover is expected to conclude within a span of 90 days, according to Hardikar. He revealed that the ongoing work spans approximately 180 meters.
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