Title - Noida Metro Rail Company fate in doldrums

NOIDA: The future of Noida Metro Rail Company (NMRC) has become uncertain because the UP state government has asked for technical and operational support from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for construction of the proposed 29-km-long metro link between Noida and Greater Noida. Noida Authority has demanded the terms of reference from DMRC for construction, technical and other operational work. Notably, Delhi government had also recently raised the issue that expansion work of metro into NCR areas has been affecting its own operations in Delhi.

The experts say that Delhi chief minister Sheila Dixit has already expressed that DMRC should not take up projects outside Delhi. Amidst such circumstances the future of NDMC is hangling like pendulum.

Forming of Noida metro rail company (NMRC) is not likely to off-load Delhi metro rail corporation’s (DMRC) of its work burden, and speed-up work on a 29 kilometers long proposed metro link, which will connect Noida’s City Center with Greater Noida’s Bodaki officials said on Thursday.

A senior official said that the Noida authority has requested that DMRC submit terms of reference of the construction work on the 29 kilometers long proposed stand alone route. On explain the reason behind the development the official said that with the consent of the state and centre government it is easy to form NMRC but the kind of expertise of construction DMRC has which NMRC will not carry. “There is need of construction, technical and operations. Without such kind of experts, investing a huge amount in the project will be a bad idea. Considering the fact, we have asked DMRC to work on the terms of reference.”

Terms of reference or a detailed project charter outlining the various facets of NMRC’s ambitious project. “Terms of reference describe the purpose and structure of a project, committee, meeting, negotiation, or any similar collection of people who have agreed to work together to accomplish a shared goal. We have so far planned that initially the DMRC would start construction work of a project till the UP state will form its own metro rail construction company,” the official said.

“NDMC will have to start from zero and initially it would not be possible to run the show alone hence we will need help of some experts. We are going to send a proposal to DMRC to submit a terms of reference because DMRC has huge track record of construction, maintenance and on time delivery,” the official added.

Meanwhile, the authority has also sought Uttar Pradesh government approvals to make way for formation of NMRC. On elaborating the structure of NMRC, the official said that there will be 12 board of directors. Out of 12, there will be four directors from Uttar Pradesh government and similarly the Centre government will depute four directors while the Urban development ministry secretary will be the chairman of the corporation.

Besides, the authority sought 50 per cent of budget for NMRC from centre. “Both Noida and Greater Noida will raise 50 % of funds. We want remaining 50 % to be funded by center. Noida will have 70 % stake out of 50 per cent. And Greater Noida’s share is going to be 30 % in NMRC formation and building 29 kilometers long, which will cost R 5, 500 crore,” said official.

The experts say that it is easy to declare of forming a corporation like DMRC but running a show like DMRC is not an easy task. “If the DMRC will construct the line then what will be the job of NMRC, which was supposed to off load DMRC’s work. Delhi CM Sheila Dixit has already expressed that DMRC should not take up projects outside Delhi. Amidst such circumstances the future of NDMC is hangling like pendulum,” said Gaurav Bansal social activist.