Jaipur:  The dream of Metro Train in Pink City Jaipur is being realized very soon due to the farsightedness of the State Government and the initiative of the Chief Minister, Shri Ashok Gehlot. Conserving the rich heritage and culture of Jaipur, the State Government has added a golden chapter of development of Metropolitan culture by laying the foundation of Jaipur Metro, which would play an important role in bringing Jaipur in the category of world class cities.

The ambitious project of the State Government, Jaipur Metro's work is in full swing presently. Everybody is surprised at the speed on which the work of Jaipur Metro is being done and it is very likely that the residents of Jaipur would get their dream of Metro train realized by June, 2013. The Metro train would definitely play a big role in reducing the distances in the city and saving the valuable time.

It is to be noted that the work of Jaipur Metro is to be completed in two phases. Of this 55% work of the first phase have been completed and the engineers are working day and night to complete the remaining work of this phase. Under the first phase-IA, Metro train would run between Mansarovar and Chandpole covering a distance of 9.718 km. Similarly under the first phase-IB, it is proposed that Metro train would be run from Chandpole to Bari Chaupar within the distance of 2.349 kms. The total expenditure incurred on this project would be about 3,149 crores. There will be three underground and 8 alleviated stations in the first phase. Likewise in the second phase Metro train would be run from Sitapura to Ambabari on which Rs.6,581 crore would be spent. It's distance would be 23.099 kms. and there would be 5 underground and 15 alleviated stations.

The State Government had given the work of the first phase of Jaipur Metro to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on deposit work basis on 5th August, 2010. The operation and maintenance of first phase would be done by Jaipur Metro Rail Corporation. DMRC has already given the order for the supply of rolling stock (rail wagons) to BEML. If the supply of rolling stock is not done on time than also DMRC is committed to operate the Metro train on time in the first phase by sending it's own rolling stock.

DMRC has also given the work order to the concerned company for signaling and telecom supply. Alongwith this, Jaipur Metro Rail Corporation  has  sent the service rules & recruitment procedure of the employees and the schedule of power for approval to the Finance Department. The process of constituting "dedicated Metro fund" is underway in order to make the project self reliant economically and for this, the proposal has been sent to the State Government.

The State Government would acquire 50 hectare land for the project. As per the decision, the State Government has transferred 23.69 hectare land and the remaining 26.31 hectare land would soon be identified and transferred. For capital share of the Government of India and subordinate loan in the first phase, the Urban Development Ministry, on the proposal of the State Government, has sent it's approval to the Planning Commission on May, 2012. As soon as approval in principle is received from the Planning Commission, the meeting of PRE-P.I.B. would be organized for further action on the proposal.

The work on the second phase of the project is proposed to be done on P.P.P. model. For this R.F.Q. has been issued and it's post facto approval from the Government of India is under process. After the technical evaluation by the R.F.Q. four national and multi-national companies, Reliance Infrastructure Limited, Gamon Infrastructure-Eridium Concession, Soma-I.C.F. and Essar projects-Samsung C-N.T. has been selected for R.F.P.

Over Rs.612.95 crores have been received as financial share from the State Government and the agencies for the project. Of this amount, the State Government has given the share of Rs.486.04 crores Jaipur Development Authority Rs.63.75 crores and RIICO Rs.63.16 crores.

The operation of Metro train, keeping in view the rapid expansion of Jaipur City, increase in distances, pressure of traffic alongwith the oblective of streamlining the urban transportation not only demonstrates the farsighted approach of the State Government but it would also prove to be a successful effort in fulfilling people's aspirations.