Work Started on Ghaziabad-Vaishali, Delhi Metro Line

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Wednesday began work on the proposed metro rail line from Delhi’s Anand Vihar to Vaishali, Ghaziabad. The officials said the work on this 2.67km line will be completed by March 31 next year, months ahead of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in the capital.

”Once the line is complete, the journey from Vaishali to Rajiv Chowk in Connaught Place will take only 22 minutes. Revenue from ticket sales and advertisement at the stations will go to the DMRC,” said R K Sachan, secretary of Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA).

GDA officials said the line will cost Rs 260 crore and that the civic agency had already paid Rs 130 crore to DMRC. ‘‘We have asked DMRC to give us details of how the remaining Rs 130 will be utilized. We will arrange for the payment on this account as soon as details are filled in. There is no problem of money for the project,’’ said Sachan

The Memorandum of understanding (MoU) between DMRC and GDA about the first phase of the Metro project in Ghaziabad was signed on March 24 last year. In April, GDA made payment of Rs 130 crore but the work was delayed.

GDA is also looking to extend the Metro network in its area and has sought approval from the state government to levy a cess on residential land to fund it.