STATE GOVT MOVE TO SPEED UP METRO WORK IN OTHER CITIES

LUCKNOW: The state government has decided to set up dedicated metro cells in Kanpur, Agra, Meerut and Varanasi to fast track the metro rail projects in these cities. “These cells would function under divisional commissioners till such time a formal special purpose vehicle (SPV) for these projects is constituted,” said a senior housing department official.

Development authorities of each city would provide the necessary staff, office space and also bear the expenses of the pre-feasibility study and blueprints of their respective projects, the official said. “If need be, the development authorities can also seek staff from other concerned departments like the municipal corporation and the jal sansthan on temporary or full time basis for the cell, whose functioning would be monitored by the divisional commissioner,” the official said.

On January 7, the state government had announced metro rail projects for these four cities and asked Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) to conduct feasibility studies and prepare detailed project reports.

The Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation (LMRC) was made the nodal agency to coordinate and monitor these projects till formal SPVs were formed. RITES was supposed to submit the report for Kanpur project by June 30. According to the official, the agency has been asked to provide the study by July end.