Ball Set Rolling For Noida Metro Extension, Centre Approves Rs 2,197 Crore For 14.9 Km Project

The proposed extension of the Aqua Line between Noida and Greater Noida has received the approval of the Public Investment Board (PIB).

The PIB under the Union Ministry of Finance has approved Rs 2,197 crore for the 14.9-km project which will now be placed before the Union Cabinet.

The clearance from the Union Cabinet which is expected soon will allow work to begin on the project.

According to a statement issued by the Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC), the PIB clearance came at its meeting held on 17 November, 2022.

“The PIB approval for extending the existing Metro route in Noida and Greater Noida is an important step in infrastructure development. Now, the NMRC will float tenders to select a contractor for the project. We hope that the government will give its final approval in about two months’ time,” said Anand Vardhan, executive director, NMRC.

Connecting New Areas

The two industrial bodies - Noida and Greater Noida are currently connected by 29.707-km-long metro line, commonly known as Aqua Line. It comprises of 21 stations starting from Sector 51 Station in Noida and ends up at Delta Depot Station in Greater Noida.

The proposed metro corridor is set to branch out from the existing Aqua Line in Sector 51 and move towards Greater Noida’s Knowledge Park V. The extension having a length of 14.958 km will have nine stations and will be built at a cost of Rs 2,197 crore.

According to the detailed project report (DPR) approved by the Uttar Pradesh government in 2019, the corridor will be built in two phases.

The first phase of 9.1-km will have five stations — Sector 122, Sector 123, Greater Noida Sector 4, Ecotech and Greater Noida Sector 2.

In the second phase of 5.8-km, four stations — Greater Noida Sector 3, Greater Noida Sector 10, Greater Noida Sector 12 and Knowledge Park V — will be built.

The proposed extension of existing Aqua Line corridor of NMRC will cater to the needs of Noida/Greater Noida residents especially of Greater Noida (West). This will provide a fast, reliable and environment friendly public transportation system in the area resulting in saving of travel time of passengers.

Self-Reliance

The NMRC will build this corridor itself and not seek assistance from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). Earlier, the NMRC hired DMRC to build the Aqua Line.

Further, the Metro Rail Corridor from Sector 51 (Noida) to Knowledge Park-V (Greater Noida) is first of the two proposed extensions of the Aqua Line.

As part of the comprehensive mobility plan for the entire city, the authority is working on extending the Aqua line from Sector 142 to Botanical Garden.

The Sector 142- Botanical Garden corridor will directly connect the Aqua Line with the Blue Line to provide a seamless commute from Greater Noida to Delhi.

The Noida authority and the Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) are yet to finalise the alignment of the proposed Metro link.