Jaipur Metro plans elevated track to cut project costs in Phase II corridors

Jaipur (Urban Transport News): To save project costs, the Jaipur Metro Rail Corporation (JMRC) has made new proposal to keep the major portion of the 24-km long Ambabari- Sitapura corridor of Jaipur Metro Phase II  above the ground (elevated) instead of underground. The JMRC official hoped that if the proposal gets approval from the state as well central government then the cost of the Rs 10,500 crore project will be reduced by a whopping 40%. Explaining the proposal, a senior official of JMRC said,

To reduce costs, we have proposed to construct an elevated corridor on the major part of the route. While the construction cost of an elevated corridor is Rs 200 crore per km, it goes up Rs 550 crore per km underground.

According to the detailed project report (DPR) of phase II of the Jaipur Metro rail project prepared in 2014, the total cost was estimated to Rs 10,375 crore. Out of, the land acquisition cost was estimated to Rs 875 crore and construction cost Rs 9,500 crore.

It is believed, if the same amount of land is acquired for the project in today’s date, the JMRC would require Rs 1,600 crore. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) officials said if the major part of the project is carried overground, it would require less amount than mentioned in the previous DPR. The estimated cost of acquiring land will be reduced to Rs 800.

JMRC has also proposed a new 10-km elevated corridor from SMS Hospital to Sansar Chand Road via MI Road.

If all the suggestions are approved and implemented, the entire project cost could be reduced to Rs 6000 crore. While construction cost will be Rs 5,200 crore, Rs 800 crore will be needed for land acquisition.

JMRC Officials also said that the cost of the project could be brought down as Goods & Service Tax (GST) on rolling stock (train) and other construction items had been reduced in the recent past. They also proposed to run three coaches metro train, instead of four to cut the costs on rolling stock procurement. Sources said that JMRC will also seek financial assistance from the Central Government to construct the Jaipur Metro Phase II corridor.

If the Centre approves the project then both the Centre and the state would invest contribute equal fund to develop the project. The JMRC had already appointed Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to review and prepare the revised detailed project report (DPR) of phase II of Jaipur Metro Rail project after terminating the contract of French company EGIS Rail SA. The DMRC may submit the revised DPR in December.

Centre for Environment Research and Development (CERD) has emerged as the lowest bidder for conducting environmental impact assessment (EIA) and social impact assessment (SIA) study for the preparation of detailed project report (DPR) for the Jaipur Metro Rail Project (Phase II).