Nagpur metro work begins on 43-km phase 2 connecting satellite cities

With the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) starting the preparatory work on phase 2 of the project, the metro link to the main industrial and mining areas of Nagpur has begun to take shape. Towards this, the MMRCL has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the recruitment of a consultant for the 43 kilometre network’s phase 2 environmental impact assessment (EIA) and environmental mitigation plan (EMP) preparation. The 43.8 km phase 2 overall consists of 42.55 km of elevated roadway with 30 stations, 1.25 km of at-grade roadway, and two stations. This includes a 12.1 km east-west route from Transport Nagar to Hingna and a 31.7 km north-south line from the Kanhan River to MIDC ESR with 22 stations. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Nagpur Metro Rail Project Phase 2 was created in November 2019 by RITES Limited, a railway PSU, and is the basis for the project's intended implementation. The recent significant surge in travel demand brought on by rapid urbanisation and intense business development has stressed Nagpur's transportation infrastructure. Nagpur Metro Phase 1 is already running to relieve this pressure. Phase 1 consists of a 39 km elevated stretch with 38 stops and two depots. The entire section has been split into two corridors: east-west (Aqua line) and north-south (Orange Line). Between Automotive Square and Khapri, a 19.6 km-long north-south route with 18 stops is in operation. Prajapati Nagar in the eastern portion of the city is connected to Lokmanya Nagar in the western part of the city by the 18.5 km long east-west corridor, which has 20 stops. Four Extensions As part of the proposal, the second phase will start from where phase 1 ends in different parts of the city. The four extensions are as: Corridor 1A: MIHAN - MIDC ESR (18.6 km) Corridor 2A: Automotive Square-Kanhan River (13 km) Corridor 3A: Lokmanya Nagar-Hingna (6.7 km) Corridor 4A: Prajapati Nagar-Kapsi (5.5 km)