Badal's green signal for Ludhiana Metro Project

 by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)

CHANDIGARH JULY 17

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today gave go ahead to the prestigious Ludhiana Metro project involving an investment of Rs.10,300 crore to be completed within next five years. 

A detailed presentation on the project was made by the Local Govt. department and Punjab Infrastructure Development Board with the top brass of the state government in a meeting here at CMO this morning.   

It was decided in the meeting that the land required for the execution of the project would be provided by the state government with minimal displacement of the people across the city.  At the same time emphasis would be made to execute the underground Metro corridor especially in the densely populated areas, though it was quite capital intensive as comparable to fully or partly elevated corridor but the prime objective was to avoid undue harassment to the people on account of their dislocation.    

Meanwhile, the Principal Secretary Local Government apprised the Chief Minister that the Ministry of Urban Development GoI had convened a meeting to review the project for appraisal at New Delhi on July 23. 

Mr. Badal also approved the proposal of the Local government department for the setting up of Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the smooth and effective implementation of the project. Mr. Badal said that at the time when traffic congestion on the roads of Ludhiana city had been increased manifold as on today and gone beyond the permissive limits, resulting air pollution and huge accidental risks, Metro would be the only viable solution to provide fast, safe and economic transport system for the local public besides, creating an environmental friendly atmosphere for the city.   

It was informed in the meeting that two corridors of the Metro covering entire city, one from Ayali Chowk to BBMB Power House and another from Gill village to Rahon Road Chungi would have total length of about 29 kilometers and 27 stations.   

The meeting also deliberated upon the legal provisions encompassed in the Metro Railways (Construction of Works) Act, 1978, Metro Railways (Amendment) Act, 2009 and Delhi Metrol Railway (Operation &Maintenance) Act, 2002 for the smooth execution of the project.

Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Finance Minister Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Local Government Mr. Som Parkash, Chief Secretary Mr. Rakesh Singh, Principal Secretary Local Government Mr. Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary Finance Mr. Satish Chandra, Secretary Transport Mandeep Singh, Special Principal Secretaries to Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar and Mr. Gurkirat Kirpal Singh.