Centre asks Metros to avoid cost, time overruns

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has reported 70 per cent progress in civil works and overall physical progress of 57 per cent in the Phase-III Project, covering about 140-km long route.
In a review meeting of six Metro projects by the Urban Development Ministry, DMRC reported financial progress of 40 per cent for the Phase-III Project. The Phase-III is scheduled for completion between May, 2015 and December, 2016.
Urban Development Secretary Madhusudhan Prasad during the review last week asked the six Metros being implemented on joint venture of the Centre and respective state governments to ensure that there are no "time and cost overruns".

He said that infrastructure projects are top priority for the government and they are being monitored by the Prime Minister's Office.
Construction work in respect of Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project has begun within three months of the project being sanctioned by the central government with the Special Purpose Vehicle for execution of the project, MEGA (Metro -Link Express for Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad) Company Limited commencing work for construction of 6 km viaduct between Vastaral Gaam and Apparel Park.
The Rs 10,773-crore project was sanctioned in November last year and the work has commenced in February this year. The project envisages 37.66 km of Metro Rail with an elevated portion of 31.43 km and underground portion of 6.33 km.

Ahmedabad Metro Project will have an East-West corridor of 20.53 km between Thatlej Gaam and Vastrapur Gaam including the underground portion and fully elevated North-South corridor of 17.23 km between APMC and Motera stadium. There will be a total of 32 stations.

During the review of progress of Metro Projects being implemented on 50:50 Centre and State Joint Venture basis by the Urban Development Ministry, CMD of MEGA informed in the review meeting that Design Consultants for Metro stations and other components of works are being appointed and work on the underground section will be completed in 27 months time.

CMD of Kochi Metro informed in detail about the Smart Card based Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) system to be introduced resulting in substantial savings in capital expenditure besides additional revenue to the Metro.
The Axis Bank-led consortium which has been selected through international competitive bidding will introduce Smart Cards which can be used for payment of metro fares as well as for other commercial merchandise at various market outlets.