The Central government has approved the extension of the Noida Metro Aqua Line from Depot Station to the upcoming Multimodal Transport Hub (MMTH) at Bodaki, marking a major push for enhanced connectivity in the National Capital Region (NCR). The 2.6-km extension is expected to be completed within three years.

The project, already cleared by the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, will now move to the construction stage under the supervision of the Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC). The extended route will include two additional stations — Junpat Village and Bodaki — connecting to the MMTH, which will integrate an interstate bus terminal (ISBT), a railway station, and city bus services for seamless multimodal transport.

The extension will use standard gauge tracks (1,435 mm) and a 25 kV AC overhead traction system, managed through SCADA technology. While topographical surveys are complete, geotechnical studies are currently underway.

With an estimated cost of Rs 4.16 billion, the project will be executed through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under NMRC. Funding will come from multiple sources: 20 per cent from the Centre (Rs 700.59 million), 24 per cent from the Uttar Pradesh government (Rs 91-.08 ), 60 per cent via loans and the NCR Planning Board (Rs 2.11 billion), and the remainder through PPP and land monetisation.

In addition, the Aqua Line extension from Noida Sector-51 to Knowledge Park V in Greater Noida — approved by the state government in November 2023 — has received in-principle clearance from the Centre’s Network Planning Group (NPG) and is now awaiting final approval from the Public Investment Board (PIB).

Another proposed corridor between Sector-142 and Botanical Garden, approved by the state in June, has also secured in-principle clearance following its review in the 90th NPG meeting.

News source: Daiji World