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With the detailed project reports (DPR) for the proposed Kanpur and Varanasi metro rail projects already ready, the two mega urban transport projects could commence by the end of December 2016.
While the DPR for the Kanpur project is already with the state Cabinet for approval, the DPR for Varanasi is likely to be presented to the Cabinet on February 29.
The Lucknow Metro Rail project is already on the ground and trial runs are projected to start from November after the coaches start arriving from October 2016.
Earlier, the train, according to the contract, was expected to arrive in November and trial runs to start from December.
However, with the civil works progressing at good pace, the Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation (LMRC) is trying to start the trials earlier, so that the project is completed in a shorter time span than planned.
“It is possible for the Kanpur and Varanasi metro projects to start by December 2016, if the DPR gets timely clearances by all the departments and agencies,” E Sreedharan, principal advisor to LMRC, told the media here this evening.
After the DPR is cleared by the state Cabinet, it is forwarded to the Centre for vetting and approval, since these are joint venture projects and the central government has to come on board statutorily.
The DPR is cleared not only by the Union urban development ministry, but needs clearances by other departments – finance, railways and civil aviation – as well.
The clearance of DPR by the central departments could typically take 2-3 months, he added.
Meanwhile, he lauded the LMRC for meetings its project timelines after the project got timely approvals from all the departments.
He further said the training of the staff would also start in October, partly in Lucknow and party in partnership with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. Lucknow Metro Rail project is touted to be the most economical such project in India.
