CM: Make metro a world-class service
ANOTHER PUSH 11 kilometres of East-West corridor being included in Phase-1A: Sreedharan
Post Central government nod, the Lucknow Metro rail project seems to have got bigger.
“The green signal by the public investment board (PIB) has cleared the decks for procuring foreign loan from European Investment Bank for the project. With funds no longer a constraint, we have decided to increase the reach of the service by including the 11-kilometre-long East-West corridor (from Charbagh to Basant Kunj) also in Phase-1A of the project,” said Metro Man E Sreedharan.
The statement by Sreedharan, who is principal advisor to Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation, assumes significance as it came soon after he met chief minister Akhilesh Yadav to apprise him about the progress.
The service is initially to commence by December 2016 on the eight-kilometre priority section from Transport Nagar in Alambagh to Charbagh, billed as Phase-1A of the 23-kilometer North-South corridor, which extends up to Munshi Pulia.
As of now, the LMRC is drafting the blueprint of the 3.40-kilometre under ground section from Charbagh railway station to KD Singh Babu Stadium. Work on this section is expected to commence early next year and would be completed in 30 months’ time.
“We have decided to include the East-West corridor in Phase-1A and not under the second phase of expansion so that we do not have to approach the Central government again for project sanction,” Sreedharan said.
He had a 45-minute meeting with chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, who told him to make metro a world-class service and give its stations an eco-friendly, distinct architectural appeal by incorporating the most modern technology. While designing the metro stations, the CM said, a provision for cycle stands should also be made so that even poor could also avail the service. The LMRC, Sreedharan said, was now in the process of increasing its work force and added that of the total 73 engineers hired recently, 58 had already joined. RAIL SAFETY COMMISSIONER
The Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation would be writing to the Civil Aviation Ministry to appoint a railway safety commissioner for the project at the earliest. The service can commence only after the CRS conducts the trials and gives the green signal.