New Metro line gets cash boost

New Delhi: In a move that will fastrack the completion of the under-construction Noida-Greater Noida metro corridor, the NCR Planning Board has released the first loan installment of Rs 406 crore for the project, which is targeted to be completed by April 2018.

The National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) has already sanctioned a loan of Rs 1,587 crore to Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) for the 29.70 km Noida-Greater Noida Metro Project that is estimated to cost Rs 5,533 crore.

The 20-year loan, including a moratorium of five years for repayment, carries an interest rate of 7 per cent per year and an incentive of 0.25 per cent for timely repayment of installments.

“Noida-Greater Noida metro link is important for enabling a seamless travel in NCR which the Board is committed to promote. Further, the release of funds to this important section depends on physical and financial progress of the section,” NCRPB member secretary B.K. Tripathy said, while announcing the disbursement of the first installment of the loan.

NCR Regional Plan-2021 has emphasised the need for strengthening connectivity between NCR towns, he added. Once completed, the route will boost connectivity in the far-flung areas of Noida leading to Greater Noida. At present, the Delhi Metro’s Blue Line connects Dwarka with Noida City Centre.

The Noida to Greater Noida corridor is approximately 30 km long with 21 stations (all elevated) and one depot in Greater Noida and will be on standard gauge.

Out of these 15 stations fall in Noida and the remaining 6 stations including the depot station fall in Greater Noida. All the stations will have platform screen doors, solar panels and rainwater harvesting facilities. The depot will have the capacity to stable and maintain 130 cars. Out of the 21 stations 16 will be on the central verge and 5 stations will be off the road.

Keeping in mind, the conservation of the environment, trees have not been damaged but have been shifted by DMRC to other locations. Around 400–500 trees have been shifted and around 1,100 trees have been saved by shifting of piers. The corridor will cross beneath the Dedicated Railway Freight Corridor and will cross above the Yamuna–Agra Flyover at 28 metres, which will also be the highest point of the corridor near the Knowledge Park–II metro station. This station will also be connected to the Greater Noida Expo Centre and special economic zone through walkalators.