Dr. Brijesh Dixit is heading Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation, as Managing Director to implement Rs. 8680 Crore Nagpur Metro Rail project comprising 42 stations over a route length of 41.7 kms and Rs. 11420 Crore Pune Metro Rail project comprising of 30 stations over a route length of 31.25 kms long Mass Rapid Transit system to the city of Nagpur and Pune respectively which are world class, safe, comfortable, accessible, energy efficient and environmental friendly. Recently, Metro Rail News has conducted a media interview with Dr. Brijesh Dixit. Here are excerpts from the interview:-
1. Could you please elaborate on the role of Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha-Metro) and purpose to form this Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)? Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited formerly known as Nagpur Metro Rail Corporation Limited is a 50:50 Joint Venture of Government of India & Government of Maharashtra. It is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) created for the implementation of all Metro Rail Projects in the State of Maharashtra outside Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
2. Maha metro is adopting a sustainable approach when it comes to delivering metro rail projects. You recently shared that both Nagpur and Pune Metro Rail projects will be one of the greenest metro projects in India with up to 65% energy to come from solar panels. Can you share the sustainable solutions employed in both the metro projects?
The Nagpur and Pune Metro rail projects have been conceptualized and designed to use natural Solar Energy and make use of rainwater harvesting, green building techniques, bio-digester technology, enhancing green belt by tree plantations, water recycling plants in depots and pollution reduction methods.
Maha Metro has gone a step further by taking the following initiatives and making it one of the Greenest Metros.
MoU with DRDO for anaerobic biodigester to ensure 100% water recycling and smart sewage treatment: MoU has been signed between Maha-Metro and Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) for propagation and installation of “BioDigester Technology”. Maha-Metro will be the first in India to adopt this technology with an objective of keeping the eco-friendly clean environment and make use of organic waste & wastewater.
- Vertical garden on piers.
- Rain Water Harvesting
- Transplantation of trees coming in the way of construction and large-scale tree plantation.
- Green Building Techniques and aiming for IGBC Platinum rating for station complexes. The 3 At-Grade Stations (Khapri, New Airport & Airport South have received the Platinum Rating)
Integrating Solar Energy from Inception to meet 65% of energy requirements by installing solar panels along the station rooftops, depot boundary walls, depot shed rooftops and vacant ground spaces net metered under the RESCO model
3. How is the progress of various projects under Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha Metro)? Which projects are most likely to be made operational by the end of the year? At Presently, Maha Metro is executing Metro Rail Projects in two cities in the state of Maharashtra at Nagpur & Pune.
Nagpur Metro Rail Project consists of 38.215 Km elevated Metro Corridor which includes 40 stations and 2 train maintenance Depots, the Alignment is divided into two corridors i.e. North-South (19.658 Km) & East-West (18.557 Km). The estimated completion Cost is Rs. 8680 crores. The total physical progress achieved till 31st July 2018 is 67.36% and the financial progress is 44.89%.
The route length of Pune Metro Rail Project is 31.25 km (26.23 km elevated & 5.02 km underground) divided into two corridors i.e from Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) to Swargate (16.59 Km) and from Vanaz to Ramwadi (14.66 km) with 30 stations and two Car Maintenance Depots. The approved completion cost is Rs. 11,420 crores. The total physical progress achieved till 31st July 2018 is 22.00% and the financial progress is 15.00%.
The trial run of the very first section of 5.4 km of Nagpur Metro Rail Project was flagged off on 30th September 2017. The CMRS authorization was received on 16th April 2018 and currently, joy rides are carried out.
The phase 1 of Nagpur Metro is expected to be completed by December 2019 with the opening of 24 km by March 2019 and the remaining 14 km by the end of 2019. The Pune Metro project is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.
4. Is the merger of Nagpur Metro Rail Corporation Limited (NMRCL) with Maha-Metro over? Is the process of reconstitution underway or is heading towards completion? Nagpur Metro Rail Corporation Limited (NMRCL) was incorporated on 18th February 2015. After the sanction of the Pune Metro Rail Project, the company was reconstituted into Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha Metro) on 23rd January 2017.
