AGRA: In a major boost for the mass rapid transit system, the UP government allocated Rs 465 crore for Agra metro rail project in the annual budget 2023-24 presented in the state assembly.
Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) spokesperson Panchanan Mishra said, “The Agra metro rail project is taking place at a fast pace. With the completion of a six-kilometre-long priority corridor, the target is to have metro rail running on the stretch by the end of February 2024. The budget allocation made by the state government is in larger public interest. It will help in the completion of the project work in a time-bound manner.”
On December 7, 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the foundation stone of the Agra metro rail project.
The estimated cost of the project will be Rs 8,379.62 crore.
“Fifty per cent of the Agra metro rail project will be funded by the European investment bank. The remaining 50 per cent will be funded by the state and central government. So far, Rs 2140 crore of government funds have been allocated for the Agra metro rail project. The fresh location of 465 crore will be received in quarterly installments. The entire project will be completed by December 2025,” said Mishra.
UPMRC in the first phase will be developing a six-kilometer-long ‘Priority Corridor’ with a mix of three elevated and three underground stations between Taj east gate and Jama Masjid. The work is scheduled to be completed in the next 12 months.
The Agra Metro project comprises two corridors with a total length of 29.4 km and connects major tourist attractions like Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Sikandra with railway stations and bus stands.
According to the detailed project report (DRP) approved by the Union cabinet in February 2019, the distance between Sikandara and Taj East Gate corridor will be 14.25 km — partly elevated and partly underground — and comprise 13 stations (six elevated and seven underground).
The length of the second corridor from Agra Cantt to Kalindi Vihar will be 15.15 km and comprise 14 stations — all elevated.
UPMRC officials said the metro rail will cover 1 km in two minutes.
Thus, the distance between Sikandra and Taj East Gate will be covered in just 28 minutes and travelling from Agra Cantt to Kalindi Vihar will take 32 minutes, which on an average takes an hour by road.
