Gurugram: The much-awaited expansion of the Gurugram Metro Rail project will begin in May next year, with Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announcing a deadline of four years to complete the project.
The expansion aims to connect Millennium City Center to the railway station, Sector-22, and Cyber City, spanning 28.50 km and including 27 stations. Approved by former chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar in February 2023, the project is expected to provide eco-friendly, efficient transportation while reducing traffic congestion in the bustling city.
At a rally at Rewari in poll-bound Haryana on 16 February, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of multiple projects in the state, including the Gurugram Metro expansion project.
A senior Haryana government officer told ThePrint that a total of Rs 5,452.72 crore was earmarked for the metro expansion. “While Rs 896.19 crore will be contributed by the Centre, Rs 4,556.53 crore will be funded by the Haryana government. The project underscores the state’s commitment to strengthening urban infrastructure and promoting sustainable development,” he said.
Multilateral funding is being explored, especially from the World Bank, ThePrint has learnt.
The new metro line will include 27 stations, eight of which will be developed as model stations. The stations will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to enhance commuter convenience.
It will operate on standard gauge and employ Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) signaling, enabling speeds of up to 80 km/h. Initially, the trains will run with three coaches, which can be expanded to six as passenger demand grows, said a spokesperson of the state government.
The CBTC system, widely used in modern metro networks, enhances safety and efficiency by enabling precise control of train movements. The project is also designed with sustainability in mind, offering an eco-friendly alternative to vehicular transport, which currently contributes significantly to Gurugram’s pollution levels.
To further streamline connectivity, the project will include five underpasses and flyovers. Both the Haryana and Central governments have already approved the detailed project report (DPR).
The first phase covers a 13-km stretch from Millennium City Center to Sector 9 and 101 Dwarka. Tenders will be floated by 31 January next month, Similarly, the second phase, spanning another 13 km from Sector-9 to Cyber City, will see tenders issued by 15 February.
The spokesperson further said that the geotechnical investigations for the first phase have been completed, and preliminary work on civil, architectural, and electrical and mechanical (E&M) components has commenced. A consultant will soon be appointed for depot construction and other critical infrastructure.
A senior officer of the Haryana government told ThePrint that the work on the project was delayed due to multiple reasons.
“The Gurugram Metro Rail Ltd (GMRL) had to hire a detailed design consultant (DDC) to create station layouts and viaducts. The process was delayed due to the model code of conduct for the assembly election. Before this, it was delayed due to route alignment changes, as the metro’s route alignment has changed multiple times, and there was delay in the finalisation of the DPR,” he added.
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Builders see the launch of the metro expansion project as a gamechanger for the realty market. “The Gurugram metro expansion is a game-changer for the city’s real estate landscape. Improved connectivity will significantly boost demand for residential and commercial properties along the metro corridor,” Harinder Dhillon, senior vice-president of sales at BPTP, said.
Santosh Agarwal, CFO and Executive Director, Alphacorp, welcomed the CM’s announcement regarding the Metro expansion in Gurugram. “The 28.5 km metro loop connecting key areas, such as HUDA City Centre, Cyber City, and Palam Vihar, is a transformative move, and will redefine urban mobility and accessibility,” he said.
Advocate Ritu Bhariok, an office bearer of the Gurugram Homebuyers Association, said that though the project is a welcome, the residents fear that the project, if not completed speedily, will block the already choked roads in the city.
“Work will start in May, and it will be stalled during the monsoon. Once rains end, the work will again be stalled due to GRAP norms for air pollution. The residents who are already facing choked roads due to heavy traffic will have to suffer,” she said.
Bhariok said that the government should ensure that the work continues round the clock and that the project should be given exemption from the GRAP guidelines so that it was completed in time.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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