Ahead of the Assembly election, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has revealed his intention to kickstart the expansion of the metro corridor. During his previous tenure, Gehlot successfully introduced Phase-1 of the Metro, extending it from Mansarovar to Badi Chaupar. This time around, he has unveiled plans to lay the foundation stone in September for the extension of the current corridor. This expansion project encompasses the Phase I (C) route, connecting Badi Chaupar to Transport Nagar, and the Phase I (D) route, spanning from Mansarovar to Ajmer Road.Gehlot stated, The construction of the 2.85 km track from Badi Chaupar to Transport Nagar will require a budget of Rs 9.8 billion. Similarly, establishing a 1.33 km track from Mansarovar to Ajmer Road will entail an expenditure of Rs 2.04 billion. The tender process has been completed, and the foundation stone laying ceremony is scheduled for September.With the objective of establishing connectivity between two crucial highways, Ajmer and Agra Road, through the metro rail network, the state government will undertake expansion work on both ends, resulting in the construction of a 4.85 km stretch. Upon completion, the length of the existing east-west corridor, stretching 12 km from Mansarovar to Badi Chaupar, will be augmented to approximately 17 km.Gehlot also acknowledged the presence of a comprehensive project report (DPR) for Jaipur Metro Phase-II, which envisions a 23.5 km corridor connecting India Gate and Ambabari on Tonk Road. However, he refrained from specifying a launch date for this project.Insiders from the Jaipur Metro Rail Corporation (JMRC) have suggested that the government should also give due consideration to the longstanding Metro project on Tonk Road, a corridor that runs from South to North, effectively connecting key areas across the city.An official source at JMRC conveyed, It is imperative for the state government to prioritise the implementation of Phase-II, as this step would significantly alleviate congestion within the city. The projected ridership for Phase-II is estimated to exceed 2,08,926 by the year 2031.