European Investment Bank sanctions Rs 3,860 crore loan for Agra Metro Phase 1

Agra, India (Urban Transport News): The European Investment Bank (EIB) has sanctioned 450 million euros (Rs 3,860 crore) for the under-construction Agra Metro Rail Project (Phase 1). This amount was approved in the EIB Board meetng held on December 15, 2021.

"Agra’s new metro will make the city greener, safer and more business-friendly. The project will contribute to the two main objectives of the Climate Action and Environment Facility (CAEF): (i) climate change mitigation, by promoting modal shift from road to rail and thereby a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; and (ii) the development of social and economic infrastructure by making a key contribution to urban development, thereby improving the business environment for private sector development and facilitating access to amenities and jobs," said EIB.

So far, EIB had funded a total of five metro projects - Lucknow Metro (€450 million), Bangalore Metro (€500 million), Bhopal Metro (€400 million), Pune Metro (€600 million) and Kanpur Metro (€650 million).

On February 28, 2019, the Central Government had sanctioned Phase 1 of Agra Metro for a total length of 30 km consiting two corridors with an expected cost of Rs 8,379.62 crore. 

The foundation stone for the phase 1 corridors of Agra metro was laid virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 8, 2019. The project is expected to be completed by 2024. TYPSA - Italferr JV was appointed as General Consultant for the Phase 1 of Agra Metro on June 15, 2020.

On December 7, 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the construction work of the project.

The total length of first corridor (Sikandra to Taj East Gate) is 14 km, which is partly elevated and partly underground and comprises 13 stations (6-Elevated and 7-Underground). The second (Agra Cantt to Kalindi Vihar) is 15.40 km long comprising elevated 14 stations.

About 20 lakh population of the city is expected to be benefited by Agra Metro directly and indirectly once the commercial operations started. The corridors will be having Multimodal Integration (MMI) with Railway Stations & BRTS Stations and will have a feeder network of Bus, Intermediate Public Transport (IPT), and Non-Motorized Transport (NMT). 

For more details, please explore the Agra Metro page of Urban Transport News.