Metro To Reach Cities With 20 Lakh Population

Government on 19^th Nov said that all cities having a population of more than 20 lakhs will soon have metro rail facility.

Briefing reporters in New Delhi, Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath said that Detailed Project Report, DPR for the projects in Ludhiana, Pune, Ahmedabad and Lucknow have already been finalized. He added that DPR for Indore, Bhopal and Chandigarh are in the conclusive stage.

The Minister informed that projects for the Kochi and line three of the Mumbai metro will be sent for cabinet approval within the next two weeks.

The Urban Development Minister said creation of affordable transport system like metro rail is necessary for the development of urban infrastructure. Mr. Nath said that his ministry has also proposed setting up of National Urban Rail Transit Authority to advice the government on all metro rail related issues.

He added that the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, DMRC has been directed to procure majority of equipment through manufacturing facilities within the country.

The Minister said that 103 kilometers long phase three of the Delhi Metro will be completed by 2016. He said that phase three to be constructed at an estimated cost of over 35 thousand crore rupees will have 67 stations.