By 2020, Nagpur will join an elite club of cities in India having its own metro rail system. The State Government gave its final approval for the ₹8,600 crore project on Wednesday.
The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Prithviraj Chavan briefing the media after the Cabinet meeting, said that the rail system will have two routes having a total length of 38 km.
The project would be on a public-private partnership basis with the Centre, State Government and local bodies holding 50 per cent stake in the project, he said. The first route will connect Automotive Chowk with Mihan, where an international airport, manufacturing and air cargo hub is being developed.
The second route will run from Prajapati Nagar to Lokmanya Nagar. The lead developer of the project will be Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT).
Chavan added that for developing the project, the Centre will provide the funds for 20 per cent stake, the State Government will raise another 20 per cent, while NIT and Nagpur Municipal Corporation will take five per cent stake respectively.
The project feasibility has been carried out by the Delhi Metro Corporation and the State Government will soon approach the Centre for funds, he said.
Answering questions about non-transparent toll collection in Maharashtra and the violent agitation launched by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena against toll collection, Chavan said that in view of the agitation by the people and the issues raised by social worker Anna Hazare, the State Government is planning to come up with a new toll policy for the State. On the issue of reducing power tariffs in Mumbai city, the Chief Minister said the matter was under consideration and soon a decision would be taken.
Meanwhile, alternative solutions and audits of power companies are being considered, he said.