A 41-kilometre North-South metro corridor from Prahladpura to Todi Mod has been approved for Jaipur under Phase II of the metro project. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma described the corridor as the city’s future lifeline and said it would connect key industrial and residential hubs from Sitapura to VKIA, ensuring safe, efficient and convenient public transport. The approval follows a Union Cabinet decision to clear the Phase II plan and move forward with detailed implementation. The project, estimated at over Rs 130,370 million (Rs 130.37 bn), will comprise 36 stations and will be implemented by Rajasthan Metro Rail Corporation Limited (RMRCL), a 50:50 joint venture between the Centre and the state government, officials said. The corridor will provide direct connectivity to Sitapura Industrial Area, VKIA, Jaipur Airport, Tonk Road, SMS Hospital, Ambabari and Vidhyadhar Nagar. Underground stations are planned in the airport zone to ensure integration with airport infrastructure and an integrated metro network. Jaipur Metro’s Phase I presently spans 11.64 kilometre from Mansarovar to Badi Chaupar and includes 11 stations, and the new phase will substantially expand the system. Authorities said the extension is expected to ease traffic congestion, broaden public transport access and strengthen the city’s urban transport network. The Union Cabinet approved Phase II on Wednesday while the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs cleared a related revised cost for the Pachpadra refinery. The Cabinet Committee approved a revised cost of Rs 794,590 million (Rs 794.59 bn) for the HPCL Rajasthan Refinery at Pachpadra, officials added. The chief minister indicated that the refinery would boost industrial development and generate over 25,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities, contributing to the state’s economic growth. He described the decisions as historic and expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister, saying they would accelerate the state’s holistic development.