set another precedent by having an underwater rail connection. The
Union cabinet today approved the much-awaited extension of the Kolkata
metro with its neighbouring city Howrah which will include a tunnel
under the Hooghly river.
The project, estimated to cost Rs 4,676 crore, will connect one of the
busiest railway stations of eastern India, Howrah, and the information
technology suburb of Salt Lake.
The link will cover 13.77 km with 8 km running underground. The
project will be executed through a 50:50 joint venture company to be
formed between the West Bengal government and the Centre. JBIC of
Japan will partially fund the metro link, sources added.
The Cabinet today approved the constitution of a Special Purpose
Vehicle (SPV) for the project.
"The SPV will be constituted for the successful execution of the
project as well as its operation and maintenance," Information and
Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi said.
The project is expected to be completed in six-and-a-half years in two
stages. The first stage, the 5.77 km, elevated section, is expected to
be commissioned in five-and-a-half years.
The project report, which was prepared by Delhi metro chief E
Sreedharan, stipulates a two-tier fare structure of Rs 8 and Rs 16.
Although the original proposal was to extend the link 3.5 km inside
Howrah district, the cabinet approved the rail line till Howrah
station.
Dasmunsi, who also heads the All India Football Federation, was
visibly happy announcing the project saying it would enable soccer
fans across the river easy access to the Salt Lake football stadium.
According to sources, Planning Commission Deputy Chairperson Montek
Singh Ahluwalia insisted that the project be referred to a Group of
Ministers (GoM). He also said the Centre should not bear any financial
responsibility and the project should be left to the state for
execution. However, Dasmunsi argued that in Chennai and Bangalore the
metro links have central participation and Kolkata should get similar
treatment.
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