Deadline pushed for Metro loans
Loans of $1,075.7 million had been approved for the projects, of which $549.25 million was taken. Lines 2A and 7 have been commissioned, while work on Metro-2B is in progress. In all, 96 trains were to be acquired with the help of the loans, of which 60 trains have been received. tnn
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Time of India
19 hours ago
- Time of India
City Metro project moves forward with formation of sub-committee
Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Metro rail project took a crucial step forward on Wednesday with the formation of a sub-committee on the direction of chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi. Deputy CM K V Singh Deo was appointed as its chairman. The decision was taken during an inter-ministerial committee meeting held at Lok Seva Bhawan where further modalities for the project were discussed. Key discussions centred around its implementation, inter-departmental coordination and the development of an efficient public transport system in Bhubaneswar. The committee also addressed comprehensive mobility planning for decongesting traffic and rail-road transition strategies. High-level consultations were held with Delhi Metro Railway Corporation (DMRC) officials, including its CEO Kalyan Patnaik, Vikas Kumar and Pramit Garg, to ensure the project's alignment with public interest and traffic management goals, a govt statement read. The project, initially announced by the previous govt on Utkal Divas (April 1) in 2023, has undergone significant modifications since its foundation stone was laid by former CM Naveen Patnaik on Jan 1, 2024, at Trisulia. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo Despite initial uncertainty after BJP formed the govt in 2024, the administration confirmed its commitment to continue the project, recognising its importance for the transportation infrastructure of Bhubaneswar as well as Cuttack. Notable changes include extending the original route from Bhubaneswar airport to Trisulia till Cuttack. Works minister Prithiviraj Harichandan had announced a major revision, shifting from an elevated corridor to an underground Metro, citing feasibility concerns. The revision was necessitated by the project's overlap with Jaydev Vihar-Nandankanan Road, where an elevated corridor was already planned. Subsequently, a tender was floated for an innovative three-tier transportation system along the crucial stretch. "While Metro rail might not be an immediate necessity, it's a forward-looking solution considering Bhubaneswar's expansion and population growth projections. The meeting could be pivotal in transforming the vision into reality," urban planner Dipu Nanda said. The govt said that all the modifications are aimed at enhancing Bhubaneswar's transportation infrastructure while ensuring optimal utilisation of resources and minimal disruption to existing traffic patterns. "I really hope the project doesn't stick to announcements and modifications only. People may face problems during its implementation like in other cities where Metro rail is present, but it will be for a greater good," Patia resident Satyabrata Mohanty said.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Nagpur Metro records 10cr riders since its launch in 2019
1 2 Nagpur: The Nagpur Metro has crossed a cumulative ridership of 10 crore, according to figures released by Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MahaMetro). The system, which began commercial operations in March 2019, has seen consistent growth in passenger numbers over six years. The corporation attributes the rise in usage to the full rollout of Phase-I, completed in December 2022, and to specific policies targeting students. As per official data, students now comprise 20% of total riders. Incentives include a 30% fare discount on the Maha Card for students up to the graduation level and a Rs100 daily unlimited travel pass. The annual ridership rose from 55,000 in 2018–19 to 9 lakh in 2019–20, followed by 19 lakh in 2020–21 during the pandemic. The numbers increased to 67 lakh in 2021–22 and more than doubled to 2.43 crore in 2022–23. In 2023–24, ridership reached 2.55 crore, and in the current year, 92 lakh trips were recorded as of 15 July 2025. Maha Metro projects 3.16 crore riders by the end of the 2024–25 fiscal year. Nagpur Metro saw its highest recorded daily ridership on January 1, 2023, with 2.2 lakh passengers using the system. The Metro system includes infrastructure designed to accommodate passengers with disabilities, including ramps, elevators, tactile guidance paths, and reserved seating. MahaMetro also said the network has contributed to a reduction in carbon emissions by encouraging commuters to switch from private vehicles to public transport. However, specific data on environmental impact has not been made public in this release. The 10 crore figure includes all cumulative entries since 2019 and reflects growing dependence on the Metro for daily commuting in Nagpur. The system currently operates two corridors covering 38.2 km. Officials say Phase-II planning is underway with December 2027 as the tentative completion date.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Only 9 acres for Bengaluru's Hebbal transit hub is a great betrayal: BJP
Bengaluru: Opposition BJP slammed the govt's decision to allot only nine acres of land in Hebbal for the Metro rail project instead of 45 acres required for constructing a multi-modal transit hub. Calling it a "great betrayal", the party demanded that the govt change its decision and not buckle under pressure from the real-estate lobby. Bangalore North MP and Union minister of state for MSME and labour Shobha Karandlaje, in a letter addressed to chief minister Siddaramaiah, urged the govt to reconsider its decision. "The project falls within Bangalore North Lok Sabha constituency and is critical for tackling the city's congestion. The land BMRCL has requested is one of the largest parcels available at such a prime location. If it is diverted for any other purpose, there cannot be a bigger injustice and crime besides choking the entry point of the city. Further, the failure to hand over the land will also negate industrial growth in north Bengaluru, seen as an industrial corridor," the letter said. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Over a year ago, BMRCL approached the govt seeking transfer of 45 acres from Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) to build a transit hub, depot, multi-level car parking and other facilities. BMRCL also agreed to bear the compensation cost of over Rs 500 crore for acquiring the land in prime Hebbal area. Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar and industries minister MB Patil discussed the issue and promised to prioritise the transit project. However, BMRCL made a U-turn by drastically reducing the land requirement from 45 to 9 acres. This was communicated during a high-level committee meeting chaired by chief secretary Shalini Rajneesh Monday. The committee has now directed BMRCL to approach KIADB to seek transfer of the reduced land parcel. Bangalore Central MP PC Mohan said, "The 45 acres of land in Hebbal is critical for multiple Metro lines (Phases 2A, 2B, 3 and 3A) and the suburban rail project. Any dilution of land to suit private builders will cripple Bengaluru's future mobility. Don't surrender to real-estate lobbies."
