There’s good news for the residents of Noida Sector 78, Sector 137, and Sector 143, located along Noida Expressway or Greater Noida’s Pari Chowk. Popularly known as the Aqua Line, the 29.8 km elevated Noida-Greater Noida Metro link line is expected to commence its operations from October 2018.
The concerned officials have confirmed that the trials will be completed and all required clearances will be obtained by September-end. The first trial run began in January, the second in April and the third of August 20. The first stretch of trial was between Greater Noida’s Depot Station and Sector 149. The second stretch, from Sector 146 to Noida Sector 83, was tested in May. The next trial which took place in August was from Sector 83 to Sector 71. In all likelihood, the final inspection by the commissioner for metro rail safety will be done in September.
- The cost of the project is Rs. 5503 crore. The Central Government’s ministry of housing and urban affairs will bear around 20% of this amount. The remaining 30% of the project cost is being taken as a loan from NCR Planning Board. It is also noteworthy that Noida and Greater Noida on behalf of Uttar Pradesh have contributed Rs. 339 crore that includes the land cost of the corridor.
- The Institute of Urban Transport has been entrusted with the responsibility of working on the concept and providing for multi nodal traffic integration plan. Inside sources have confirmed that traffic simulations at metro stations are being planned. There are also plans for designated spaces for parking of buses, taxis, e-rickshaws, and even a vendor zone at all stations along the corridor. Commuters will be issued a City One card-a multi-wallet card applicable in the metro, parking area, buses and even for payment of Noida and Greater Noida utility services. SBI is the concessionaire for this card. The task of executing a survey on how many buses will be require along the border, has been given to the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation. Expectedly, the report will be ready in a month’s time.
- Future requirements are one of the key criterions with regard to planning of some stations such as Sector 146 and Sector 149. Nevertheless, all stations will be operational at one go. According to official reports, after operating the trains for a month, if it is found that ridership is less in some stations, the authorities may decide to run fast trains and skip some stations. But initially the entire corridor will be thrown open.
- It is also worth noting that NMRC has invited bids from companies to sell naming rights of all 21 stations in an endeavour to generate revenue. The successful bidder will get a licence for co-branding a metro station for a period of 10 years.
- A walkway is also in the pipeline that will come up in Sector 71. However, there is still time for the construction of the skywalk between Sector 71 and Sector 52 stations of the Aqua and the Blue line, as the skywalk has been planned keeping in mind the design of a commercial complex to be developed on the land between the two metro stations. It needs to be auctioned.
- Another thing that you should be aware of is that the corridor is expected to generate 10 megawatt of solar power. Excess power will be sent to the grid. Panels will be installed in parking lots as well with the aim of minimizing running costs of stations.
