Work underway on over 1,000 kilometer metro network: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said work is in progress on over 1,000 km long metro rail network in 27 cities in India. He was speaking after performing the ceremony of the Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project Phase II and Surat Metro Rail Project via video conferencing. He challenged the lack of modern thinking and policy by talking about an integrated approach.
Integrated approach toward various modes of transport
He said that there was no uniformity in the different types of metro trains in each city, and there was no integration of the metro with other modes of transport. "Now, an integrated approach has been brought in so that various modes of transport, such as buses and trains, complement each other rather than running independently," he added.
Modi compared his government's work on metro to previous governments'
The difference between the approach of his government and the previous governments is the pace of expansion of the metro rail network across the country, he said. "Before 2014, only 225 km of metro line became operational in 10-12 years. In the last six years, over 450 km of metro network became operational," Modi said.
Cost of the Gujarat metro projects
Meanwhile, both the metro projects in Gujarat would come up at an estimated cost of around Rs. 17,000 crore, Modi said. "The metro network in Ahmedabad and Surat will further strengthen the connectivity in the two major business centers of the country," he said, adding the government is developing an integrated urban transport system.
6.5 km stretch of Phase I was inaugurated in 2019
The Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project Phase II is 28.25 km long and has two corridors. Corridor one is 22.8 km long and runs from Motera Stadium to Mahatma Mandir. Corridor two, from GNLU to GIFT-City, is 5.4 km long. The total cost of the Phase II project is Rs. 5,384 crore. Modi had inaugurated the 6.5 km stretch of Phase I in March 2019.
The Surat Metro Rail Project also comprises two corridors
Separately, the Surat Metro Rail Project is 40.35 km long and comprises two corridors. Corridor one is 21.61 km long and is from Sarthana to Dream City. Corridor two, from Bhesan to Saroli, is 18.74 km long. The completion cost of the project is Rs. 12,020 crore. The metro projects are expected to provide an environment-friendly Mass Rapid Transit System to these cities.
Modi also talked about other pro-people schemes by his government
Mentioning various "pro-people" schemes by his government, such as Nal Se Jal and Ayushman Bharat, Modi said India is now taking decisions with full confidence and implementing them. "As many as 21 lakh persons in Gujarat received free treatment under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Further, 2.5 lakh houses were built for the poor under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna-Gramin in the state," he added.
