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INFRASTRUCTURE PM MODI LAUNCHED `8,000 CRORE PROJECTS IN MMR’s sustainability goals and offer lower operational costs

GUJARAT AND INAUGURATE AHMEDABAD METRO PHASE-II
compared to diesel buses. It calls for targeted investments in
electric buses and coastal ferry services, suggesting that MMRDA
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a series of significant
(Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority) should
projects, including laying the foundation stones for developments
oversee these operations with private sector participation and
worth `8,000 crore and inaugurating the Phase-II extension of the
Ahmedabad Metro. The new metro phase will connect GIFT City
necessary viability gap funding. Sources within BEST (Brihanmumbai
Electric Supply and Transport) indicate that the management
and will feature the country’s first Vande Metro service between
Bhuj and Ahmedabad. PM Modi engaged with beneficiaries of
the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana in Gandhinagar in the morning.
AC electric buses on a wet lease basis, which could address last-
Later, he inaugurated the 4th Global Renewable Energy Investor’s might seek government and MMRDA support for procuring new
mile connectivity issues near Metro stations on Lines 1, 2A, and 7.
Meet and Expo (RE-INVEST) at Mahatma Mandir, a major event Currently, commuters report difficulties in finding feeder services
aimed at showcasing India’s advancements in renewable energy. such as buses or autos to reach their final destinations after
PM Modi launched the Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project and took traveling on Metro trains. Activists advocate for establishing
a ride from Section 1 Metro Station to GIFT City Metro Station. This dedicated feeder AC bus services at Metro stations, similar to the
phase of the metro project is set to enhance mass transportation SATIS (Station Area Traffic Improvement Scheme) at railway stations
connectivity between GIFT City and Gandhinagar. like Thane, where all transport modes are readily accessible.
The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stones
for various development projects totaling over `8,000 crore. TRIAL RUNS BETWEEN SAHIBABAD AND NEW ASHOK NAGAR
This includes flagging off India’s first Vande Metro from Bhuj to SET TO BEGIN IN NOVEMBER
Ahmedabad and several Vande Bharat trains on routes such The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC)
as Nagpur to Secunderabad and Kolhapur to Pune. Additional announced recently the trial runs for the 12-kilometre section
projects include the quadrupling of railway lines between from Sahibabad to New Ashok Nagar in Delhi are expected to
Samakhiali and Gandhidham, the development of major roads commence in November.
in Ahmedabad, and the construction of new flyover bridges. The New Ashok Nagar Namo Bharat station is nearing completion,
PM Modi also inaugurated a 30 MW solar system, a 35 MW BESS with final stages of construction underway. Once operational, this
Solar PV Project at Kutch Lignite Thermal Power Station, and 220 segment will facilitate seamless travel between New Ashok Nagar
kV substations at Morbi and Rajkot. He also launched the Single and Meerut South RRTS stations in approximately 35-40 minutes,
Window IT System (SWITS) of the International Financial Services according to the NCRTC statement.
Centres Authority to streamline financial services. Furthermore, The Delhi portion of the NCRTC corridor includes a nine-kilometre
the Prime Minister approved more than 30,000 houses under the elevated viaduct and a five-kilometre underground stretch.
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin, released the first installment The elevated viaduct is complete, and work is progressing on
for these homes, and begin construction under the PMAY Scheme. track laying and overhead electrification (OHE) installations.
He also handed over completed houses to beneficiaries under The 14-kilometre stretch encompasses Sarai Kale Khan, New
both the Urban and Rural segments of the PMAY. Ashok Nagar, and Anand Vihar stations, all of which are close to
completion.
NITI AAYOG RECOMMENDS `14,000 CRORE INVESTMENT The New Ashok Nagar station, spanning 215 metres in length
IN BUS AND WATER TRANSPORT TO ENHANCE LAST-MILE and 30 metres in width, has its concourse and platform levels
CONNECTIVITY IN MUMBAI REGION completed, with roof work ongoing. Track-laying is nearly finished
According to a recent NITI Aayog report, 5-10% of the estimated up to New Ashok Nagar, and OHE and signalling work is in progress.
$17 billion allocated for Metro Rail transportation projects in the A 90-metre-long, 6-metre-wide foot over bridge (FOB) is being
Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), equating to `7,000-`14,000 constructed to connect the New Ashok Nagar Namo Bharat station
crore, should be invested in enhancing non-Metro rail public to the metro station. This FOB will link the concourse level of the
transportation such as buses and water transport. This investment metro station to the concourse of the NCRTC station, allowing
aims to bolster last-mile connectivity for daily Metro commuters. passengers to transfer smoothly between transport modes without
Released recently, the report emphasizes integrating bus services leaving the station premises. The station will feature four escalators
with coastal water transport to improve overall connectivity. The for easy movement between the platform and concourse levels,
NITI Aayog report was unveiled in the presence of Klaus Schwab, and platform screen doors (PSDs) are being installed for added
founder of the World Economic Forum, and outlines strategies to safety. Two additional FOBs are being constructed to improve
elevate the MMR into a global economic hub. connectivity and accessibility. Parking facilities at the station
The report highlights that while bus and water transport services will accommodate over 550 two-wheelers and four-wheelers,
are often deemed “loss-making” and face pressure to reduce enhancing convenience for those arriving by personal vehicles.
operations, a well-coordinated network of buses and ferries can Dedicated pick-up and drop-off points will be available for
significantly alleviate city congestion, lower air pollution, and vehicles, and an off-road service line will facilitate cab and
address last-mile connectivity issues. It advocates for investments auto services. Currently, Namo Bharat train services operate
and potential cross-subsidies to sustain and expand these services. on a 42-kilometre stretch from Sahibabad to Meerut South. The
Moreover, the report recommends that buses and water transport complete 82-kilometre corridor is expected to be finished by June
vehicles be designed as sustainable electric vehicles to meet 2025, enabling travel between Delhi and Meerut in under an hour.

42 CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITIES|SEPTEMBER 2024