Jaipur Metro rail starts by 2010 - Ashok Gehlot

The proposed metro rail will start plying in Rajasthan by 2013, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced today. Talking to reporters here, Mr Gehlot said the detailed project report (DPR) on the ambitious Rs 7,503 crore project, submitted to the state government by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and JDA officials, would be forwarded to the Centre after due perusal at the state level along with comprehensive mobility plan. ''As soon as the Centre's approval is received, work on the project will be started and the metro train is expected to start running on the 17.35 km first North South Corridor by 2013 and on 11.20 East West Corridor by 2014,'' Mr Gehlot added. The North South corridor is proposed to be stretched between Durgapura and Amba Bari and the East West corridor will cover from Mansarovar to Chhoti Chauper.

According to the DPR, a total 7.69 km stretches in both the corridors will run underground while the remaining route will be in elevated form. A total 31 stations -- eight underground and remaining elevated -- are proposed to be constructed on both the corridors. The maximum prescribed speed would be 80 km/hour with an average speed of 30 km/hour. The Centre and the state government each would contribute 20 per cent of project cost while the remaining would be raised by virtue of loans from different agencies.