Chandpole-badi Chaupad metro project delayed

WAIT’S ON Deadline for the project has been extended for the fourth time, cost to go up Tracks have been laid and installation of the signals has been completed...the only work left now is finishing and the tender for the automatic fare collection has also been finalised

SUBIR KUMAR, MD, JMRCL

JAIPUR: Deadline for the Jaipur metro project work from Chandpole to Badi Chaupad has been extended for the fourth time, officials said.

Commuters are facing troubles due to the extension of the deadline for the metro phase 1-B project that covers a stretch of 2.34 kilometre from Chnadpole to Badi Chaupad area. Construction also leads to congestion in many narrow market joints.

The present deadline for the phase 1-B project given by the Jaipur Metro Rail Corporation Limited is August 2019. Work was supposed to be completed by December 2018 when the deadline was extended for the third time.

The agreement for construction was finalised on October 5, 2013. Metro construction on the 2.34-km stretch was supposed to be completed by March 2018. But the March 2018 deadline was extended to September 2018 citing construction difficulties. The deadline was further extended to December 2018.

JMRCL managing director Subir Kumar said the project has been completed by 90% and dayto-day monitoring will lead to its completion on time. “Tracks have been laid and installation of the signals has been completed. Moreover, civil engineering work for the tunnel construction has been completed. The only work left now is finishing and the tender for the automatic fare collection has also been finalised,” Kumar said. “Since all fundamental works have been completed, the trial run for the metro would be done by the first week of July,” he added.

Extension of deadline has led to an increase in metro construction cost. Previously the approximate cost was Rs 886 crore; now it is estimated to be Rs 1126 crore. “The estimated cost for the project is Rs 1126 crore but we are sure that we will be able to complete the project with the less expenditure,” Kumar said.

The ongoing metro construction in the Chandpole markets and other spots leads to traffic congestion in the walled city.