Delhi Metro's Noida-Sahibabad link sees Rs 3.56 bn cost surge

19 Jan 2024 CW Team

The initial DPR encountered funding challenges at the state level, prompting the GDA to request a revision last month, according to GDA sources. The original project cost was estimated at Rs 15.17 billion, while the updated DPR now sets the projected cost at Rs 18.7331 billion.

The proposed Metro route aims to establish a connection between Noida and Sahibabad, incorporating a multimodal interchange hub at the Sahibabad station of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS).

Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary of GDA, stated, ?The revised DPR has been submitted to GDA. This will now be taken to the board and thereafter to the state government." The revised funding pattern proposes 20% from the Centre and the remaining 80% from the Uttar Pradesh government, with the state government determining the final funding distribution among various agencies.

Given the GDA's current financial constraints, Singh explained, "Hence, we have proposed that 80% of the project cost be borne by GDA and UP Awas Vikas, besides a few other agencies. A final call on this will be taken by the state government."

The updated DPR specifies the need for 7,690.10 square meters of private land and 19,001.2 square meters of government land for the construction of the proposed Metro link, which spans 5.017 km and includes five stations at Vaibhav Khand, near DPS Indirapuram; Shakti Khand; Vasundhara Sector 7; and Sahibabad.

Despite maintaining a similar length, station count, and funding pattern as the previous DPR, the major revision involves a notable escalation in the project cost, according to GDA sources.

Residents, eager for improved metro connectivity, anticipate that the revised DPR will accelerate the project's progress. UB Garg, President of 'Varishth Nagrik Samaj, Vasundhara,' expressed hope that the project would not only benefit local commuters but also provide access to the RRTS. Residents of Vasundhara had previously staged a relay fast in December 2023, advocating for the expedited implementation of the metro link. As of now, Ghaziabad features Delhi metro?s Blue Line stations at Kaushambi and Vaishali, along with eight stations on the metro?s Red Line network.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) submitted a revised detailed project report (DPR) for the Metro link connecting Noida?s Sector 62 (Electronic City) to Sahibabad in Ghaziabad, as reported by officials from the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA). The revised DPR indicates a cost increase of approximately Rs 3.56 billion. The initial DPR encountered funding challenges at the state level, prompting the GDA to request a revision last month, according to GDA sources. The original project cost was estimated at Rs 15.17 billion, while the updated DPR now sets the projected cost at Rs 18.7331 billion. The proposed Metro route aims to establish a connection between Noida and Sahibabad, incorporating a multimodal interchange hub at the Sahibabad station of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS). Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary of GDA, stated, ?The revised DPR has been submitted to GDA. This will now be taken to the board and thereafter to the state government. The revised funding pattern proposes 20% from the Centre and the remaining 80% from the Uttar Pradesh government, with the state government determining the final funding distribution among various agencies. Given the GDA's current financial constraints, Singh explained, Hence, we have proposed that 80% of the project cost be borne by GDA and UP Awas Vikas, besides a few other agencies. A final call on this will be taken by the state government. The updated DPR specifies the need for 7,690.10 square meters of private land and 19,001.2 square meters of government land for the construction of the proposed Metro link, which spans 5.017 km and includes five stations at Vaibhav Khand, near DPS Indirapuram; Shakti Khand; Vasundhara Sector 7; and Sahibabad. Despite maintaining a similar length, station count, and funding pattern as the previous DPR, the major revision involves a notable escalation in the project cost, according to GDA sources. Residents, eager for improved metro connectivity, anticipate that the revised DPR will accelerate the project's progress. UB Garg, President of 'Varishth Nagrik Samaj, Vasundhara,' expressed hope that the project would not only benefit local commuters but also provide access to the RRTS. Residents of Vasundhara had previously staged a relay fast in December 2023, advocating for the expedited implementation of the metro link. As of now, Ghaziabad features Delhi metro?s Blue Line stations at Kaushambi and Vaishali, along with eight stations on the metro?s Red Line network.