In its second term, the Uttar Pradesh state government, led by CM Yogi Adityanath, has focussed on expanding the metro network in the state.
CM Yogi Adityanath has directed the officials to start work on the Gorakhpur metro lite project in six months and take steps for metro rail service in Kashi, Meerut, Bareilly, Jhansi and Prayagraj.
Gorakhpur is the seat of the ancient Gorakhnath Peeth, which Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath continues to head as mahant and for the second term as CM, he is elected from Gorakhpur as an MLA.
“Kashi, Meerut, Gorakhpur, Bareilly, Jhansi and Prayagraj are to be connected by metro rail service. The necessary process should be completed. Prepare to start work on the Gorakhpur metro lite project in six months,” the office of CM quoted Yogi Adityanath in a tweet.
The Gorakhpur metro lite project was approved by both the state cabinet and Public Investment Board (PIB) and is awaiting the approval of the central cabinet.
In its first phase, the 15.14 km long metro lite of Gorakhpur would connect major centres of the city, including Gorakhnath Mandir, Gorakhpur Railway Station, Gorakhpur university and the newly built AIIMS.
To be built with Rs 2,670 crore, the first phase is expected to serve over 15 lakh people.
“The 50 per cent of the funding which would be through loan will be taken from European investment bank (EIB), which has funded Lucknow and Kanpur Metro projects,” a source told The Economic Times.