All the trials and clearances will be procured by September-end for the project, so operations for Aqua line will begin in October this year. The first trail run is slated to begin in January, while the second trial will be in April and the third trial will be on August 20, the Executive Director of Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC), PD Upadhyay has confirmed.
Trials have already been conducted on the first stretch which links Greater Noida’s Depot station and Sector 149. Trials on the second stretch connecting Sector 146 to Noida Sector 83 were done in May. Trials on the third stretch from Sector 83 to Sector 71 have already begun. The final inspection by the commissioner for metro rail safety will be conducted in September.
The Aqua line project was constructed at a cost of Rs 5,503 crores. Approximately 20% of the project cost will be borne by the Central government’s ministry of housing and urban affairs and 30% has been taken as loan from NCR Planning Board. Rs 339 crores has been contributed by Noida and Greater Noida in 70:30 ratio, respectively on behalf of Uttar Pradesh government.
The Institute of Urban Transport will provide for multi-nodal traffic integration plan. There will be designated spaces for parking of buses, taxis, e-rickshaws, as well as a small vendor zone will be constructed at all the stations. The new line will be beneficial to commercial property in India, along the corridor. A skywalk is planned between Sector 71 and Sector 52 stations between the Blue line and Aqua Blue line, which is designed keeping in mind a commercial complex which will be developed on the land between the two metro stations. The corridor will generate 10 megawatts of solar power, out of which the excess power will be sent to the grid. Solar panels will be installed in parking lots in a bid to minimise running costs of the station.
A number of developers have constructed luxury housing projects in India along the stretch. There are a number of luxury flats for sale along the corridor which will see an increase in prices over the next few months.
