Noida-Gr Noida Metro corridor project approved by UP govt

Noida: In a move set to bring much-needed relief to residents living in adjoining cities of Delhi, the Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday approved the construction of an extension line of the Noida-Greater Noida Metro, officials said, adding that the extended line will run between Noida Sector 71 and Greater Noida Knowledge Park V, connecting the twin cities of Gautam Buddh Nagar District.

Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) Managing Director Ritu Maheshwari said: "The approval for an extension metro rail was given during a meeting of the cabinet minister in Lucknow on Tuesday."

This new link is expected to benefit around three lakh commuters hailing from cities like Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gurugram in addition to the residents of Noida, Greater Noida and Delhi.

The extension will be part of the existing Noida Metro Aqua Line, which is connected to the Delhi Metro's Blue Line, which connects Noida to Delhi. The extension of the corridor is to take place in two phases - the first will connect Noida Sector 51 station to Greater Noida Sector 2; the second will extend the line to Knowledge Park V from Greater Noida Sector 2. The first phase is expected to cost around Rs 1,064 crore.

NMRC officials had last month said that the UP Cabinet had asked for notes on the metro extension project for discussion in their cabinet meeting for final approval.

Now that the cabinet has cleared the decks for the extension project, the construction work is expected to begin within three months.

Officials said that the civil work for the project is expected to be finished in two-and-a-half years.

The move is expected to benefit a large number of commuters, who will have easy access to these points from Delhi and Noida and will be able to save on travel expenses owing to the elimination of the need to take autorickshaws or buses to reach these locations.

In fact, the NMRC has also recognised three future phases for the complete extension of the Noida Metro Aqua Line. The future phases are Noida Sector 71 to Knowledge Park 5, Sector 142 to Botanical Garden and Depot station to Boraki.

In January this year, the Aqua Line was inaugurated, connecting Noida and Greater Noida, covering a 30 km distance and with 21 stations. Noida Sector 52 station, which is on the Delhi Metro's Blue Line is connected to the Aqua Line through a 300 m walkway.