This story is from May 22, 2010

Lucknow Metro Rail Right On Track

It is being hailed as one of the most ambitious projects undertaken in the city. And for Lucknow, which is witnessing a swift rise in the number of immigrants, the mass rapid transport system, Metro Rail, is need of the hour.
Lucknow Metro Rail Right On Track
It is being hailed as one of the most ambitious projects undertaken in the city. And for Lucknow, which is witnessing a swift rise in the number of immigrants, the mass rapid transport system, Metro Rail, is need of the hour.
The project has now moved from a stretch of imagination into an effort that may possibly translate into a reality with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) submitting a feasibility report to the UP government on the project.

On Friday, a committee headed by UP chief secretary took up the report to assess the potential of the project. Sources privy to the meeting said the government would follow the DMRC model under which 50% of the total project cost would come through the Central government, while the remaining 50% would be jointly invested by a special purpose vehicle (SPV) and the state government. It is likely that the SPV would have the dominance of a private company, possibly the one which specialises in metro rail projects. The name of SNFC France is doing the rounds in the corridors of the state government.
However, the moot question is when the project would be implemented. "May be 10 years from now," said a senior official in the state government, adding, "or, may be before that."
DMRC chief public relations officer Anuj Dayal says: "It's the only possible long term answer. Meanwhile, a senior DMRC official said metro rail is the only mode of transport which can carry some 80,000 passengers daily in a particular direction.
But then, it's all about the project being initiated and completed on time. Well placed DMRC sources said that an elevated platform can be constructed within a period of three years while an underground platform would take four years. "Anyhow, the complete project can come up within five years, provided there is government will," the official said.

While Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) vice-chairman Mukesh Meshram said that Lucknow has a good potential, sources said it is the question of "rider ship which could be a cause of concern." "At least, one lakh people should travel on a metro train per hour to make it a viable," says an official closely associated with the project.
There are two other concerns as well. First, the project's overall cost. Second, land acquisition. The initial cost worked out by the corporation and the government is around Rs 6,000 crore. This is likely to escalate with delay. Official sources put the figures around Rs 10,000 crore within next five years.
Not surprisingly, the state government is pinning its hope to get funds under the Central flagship scheme — Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). It expects the Centre to allocate 50% of the funds required for metro rail under the scheme.
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