Bhopal: Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reviewed the progress of Metro Rail Projects at Mantralaya here on Friday. He gave instructions to speed up the projects and complete them in a phased manner while making them economically viable. The Metro Rail projects will be administered and managed by Madhyha Pradesh Metro Rail Company Limited. The Chief Minister will be its chairman while Urban develoment Minister, Mayors of Bhopal and Indore will be members. The company’s administrative structure will be approved by the State Cabinet.
Review meeting discussed about the routes to be included in the first phase of the metro rail project. Secretary to CM Vivek Agrawal giving detailed presentation on the status of Metro rail projects informed that a total cost of the Bhopal Metro Rail Project will be Rs 22504.25 crore. It will have seven routes. Its length will be 95.03 kilometers.
Of this, 84.83 kilometers will be elevated. The first phase will have two routes – Karond – AIIMS measuring 14.99 kilometers and Bhadbhada – Ratnagiri measuring 12.88 kilometers. The cost of first phase will be Rs 6962 crore. Chances of obtaining financial resources from Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Asian Development Bank were discussed. Indore metro rail will run 104 kilometers. The estimated cost will be Rs 26762.21 crore. Work on the first phase – Palasia-Airport-Vijayanagar-Bhavarkua-Palasia will start soon. There is no change in the original map of project.
The Chief Minister said that the options for mobilizing financial aids through international organizations will be explored. Administrative and management proposals were approved by the Company’s Board of Directors meeting.
Mayor Bhopal Alok Sharma, Indore Mayor Malini Gaur, Chief Secretary Anthony DeSa, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Ashok Varnwal and senior officers of the concerned departments were present.