Jaipur Metro Phase 2: Construction Picks Up for 41-km Expansion, 36 Stations

Jaipur: Preparations to give Jaipur a new public transport option, as vehicle pressure on its roads rises and the city keeps expanding, have begun to translate into action on the ground. Construction activity is picking up in the second phase of the metro extension, which has been awaited for around 15 years.

In this ambitious Rs 13,037.66 crore project, work on a tunnel beneath the city has now moved ahead alongside the elevated track.

The contract for the underground construction has been finalised at Rs 921.63 crore. It was secured for about Rs 238.63 crore less than the estimated cost. The work has to be completed in 36 months.

A twin tunnel will be built underground using a tunnel boring machine (TBM). It will be a new engineering challenge for metro construction in Jaipur.

Work to Progress in Packages

To speed up the project, the work has been divided into separate packages.

The first package covers about 10.8 km of elevated corridor and 10 stations. It has been given out for about Rs 918 crore.

The second package includes about 3.13 km of underground construction. Elevated construction is also proposed in the third package.

The plan is to carry out work on different sections in parallel so that the project is completed on time.

Tonk Road to Commercial Centres to Be Connected

The importance of the project lies not only in extending the metro but also in developing the city's transport system as a network.

At present, Jaipur Metro operates over about 11.64 km. On average, 60,000 passengers use it every day.

Once Phase 2 is complete, the metro network will grow by about 41 km. This will offer a new travel option between industrial areas, commercial centres, medical institutions and residential areas.

Jaipur Metro Phase 2 at a Glance

Item	Detail
Project cost	Rs 13,037.66 crore
Extension	41 km
Stations	36
Elevated stations	34
Underground stations	2

ADB Loan Planned for 60 Per Cent of Funds

Raising funds for the project is also a big challenge.

The plan is to take 60 per cent of the amount as a loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The remaining 40 per cent will be borne equally by the Centre and the state government. Each will contribute 20 per cent.

Interchanges and feeder transport arrangements will also be developed to connect the existing metro network with the new corridors. This will let passengers travel within a single network.

The biggest test now will be the pace of construction, cost control and completing the entire network within the set deadline.