UD Ministry holds review meet on Metro projects

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has reported 70 per cent progress in civil works and overall physical progress of 57 per cent in the Phase-III Project, covering about 140-km long route.

At a review meeting of six Metro projects by the Urban Development Ministry last week, DMRC reported financial progress of 40 per cent for the Phase-III Project. The Phase-III is scheduled for completion between May this year and December, 2016.

Urban Development Secretary Madhusudhan Prasad during the review asked the six Metros being implemented on joint venture of the Centre and respective state governments to ensure that there are no “time and cost overruns”.

He said that infrastructure projects are top priority for the Government and they are being monitored by the Prime Minister’s Office.

Construction work in respect of Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project has begun within three months of the project being sanctioned by the central Government with the Special Purpose Vehicle for execution of the project, MEGA (Metro -Link Express for Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad) Company Limited commencing work for construction of 6 km viaduct between VastaralGaam and Apparel Park.

CMD of Kochi Metro informed in detail about the Smart Card based Automatic Fare Collection ( AFC) system to be introduced resulting in substantial savings in capital expenditure besides additional revenue to the Metro.