Blow for city's metro dream by AllIsWell on 12 June, 2013 - 07:30 AM | ||
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AllIsWell | Blow for city's metro dream on 12 June, 2013 - 07:30 AM | |
LUDHIANA: As Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit and urban development minister Arvinder Singh, voiced reservations about the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) taking up projects from other states, Ludhianvis' dream of metro rail connectivity sounds to be a far dream.Residents, however, blame the municipal corporation's lackadaisical working style for the delay. They doubt whether, with so much of tussle and brainstorming going on at its upper level and a number of lower level projects unfinished, the MC and government would be able to even begin the metro project."They are unable to manage common issues of water supply and beautification of city. Don't know how they would start this metro project. To add to it is now this tussle in the DMRC," says Upneet Dhand of Civil Lines."They cannot manage the traffic at present. What will they do the metro gets constructed above the ground? Before that, they should focus on widening the roads and resolving the basic issues in city," Mohinder Gill, of Dugri.The Ludhiana Metro project is, till now, suppose to begin under the guidance of the DMRC that was formed to handle the metro rail projects of Delhi. However, after the success of Delhi Metro and with many neighboring states seeking its support, phase III construction work of Delhi Metro is getting affected.On Sunday, Arvinder Singh had reportedly said, "The Delhi Metro must focus on its work in the capital as it was meant for intracity transport. The metro is not interstate railway! We do not want the DMRC to be burdened further."Ludhiana Metro rail project was proposed with final DPR on November 9, 2012. However, no progress had been reported by the officials in this project.The striking part of the project is that though the ticket prices, routes, stoppages, resting point etc had been decided, there is no buzz about the project in the central government. The DPR further states that the state government should exempt Punjab from VAT on the metro, charge no tax on the electricity required for its operation and also exempt municipal taxes.Also proposed was the set up of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the Ludhiana Metro and its registration under the Companies Act. Another proposal was that it should be a public sector undertaking of the state government and be named 'Ludhiana Metro Rail Corporation'. Earlier, the total cost of the project was estimated at Rs 105.16 billion and was to be operational by 2014. Of the 29 km, some 12 km was to be underground, while rest was to be aboveground. |