GDA plans two new Metro Lite routes in Ghaziabad

For two metro projects in Ghaziabad, the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) intends to create a detailed project report (DPR). The projects include metro routes that use Metro Lite to connect Mohan Nagar Metro Station with Vaishali and Noida Sector 62 Metro Station with Sahibabad.

A feeder system for the city’s present metro lines, Metro Lite is proposed urban transit system with a reduced estimated ridership.

When the DPR is finished, it will be submitted to the state government for funding and approval. In comparison to Metro, Metro Lite has a reduced per-kilometer cost of roughly Rs. 150 crores. About 8,000 passengers per hour per direction (PHPDT) travel on Metro Neo, while about 15,000 do so on Metro Lite. As a result, Metro Lite.

In October 2022, the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) announced plans to enhance urban mobility by introducing two new Metro Lite corridors in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. These proposed routes aim to connect Noida Sector 62 Metro Station to Sahibabad and Mohan Nagar Metro Station to Vaishali, addressing the long-standing demand for improved connectivity among residents and daily commuters traversing Ghaziabad, Delhi, and Noida.

Proposed Metro Lite Corridors:

1. Noida Sector 62 to Sahibabad: This corridor is designed to link the existing Blue Line extension at Noida Sector 62 with Sahibabad, facilitating a seamless transit option for commuters between Noida and Ghaziabad.
2. Mohan Nagar to Vaishali: This route aims to connect the Red Line at Mohan Nagar with the Blue Line at Vaishali, creating an integrated network that enhances accessibility across key regions.

The concept of Metro Lite is tailored for cities with lower ridership projections, offering a cost-effective and efficient urban transit solution. The per-kilometer construction cost of Metro Lite is approximately ₹150 crore, significantly lower than that of traditional metro systems. With a capacity to handle about 15,000 passengers per hour per direction (PHPDT), Metro Lite serves as an ideal feeder system to existing metro networks.

In January 2020, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) submitted detailed project reports (DPRs) for these corridors, estimating the Noida Sector 62 to Sahibabad route at ₹1,517 crore and the Mohan Nagar to Vaishali route at ₹1,808.22 crore.

However, due to funding constraints, the GDA explored alternative transit solutions, including a ropeway project and the Metro Neo system. The ropeway project, with an estimated ridership of 80,000 passengers per week, was eventually deemed unfeasible. Similarly, Metro Neo, designed for a PHPDT of about 8,000, was considered less suitable compared to Metro Lite.

Financial challenges have been a significant hurdle in advancing these projects. The GDA, grappling with funding issues partly due to existing loans amounting to approximately ₹1,500 crore for previous infrastructure projects, proposed a funding model wherein 50% of the project cost would be borne by the state government, 20% by the central government, and the remaining 30% by agencies such as GDA, the Housing Board, and the Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Corporation (UPSIDC).

n light of these developments, the GDA has initiated discussions with the DMRC to reassess the feasibility of the Sector 62 to Sahibabad Metro extension, particularly focusing on integrating it with the upcoming Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) at Sahibabad. This integration aims to provide a seamless interchange for commuters, enhancing the overall efficiency of the transit network.

The successful implementation of these Metro Lite corridors is anticipated to significantly improve urban mobility in Ghaziabad, offering residents a cost-effective, efficient, and integrated public transportation system. As the GDA continues to navigate financial and logistical challenges, the focus remains on developing sustainable solutions that cater to the city’s growing transit demands.

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