PRAYAGRAJ (Metro Rail News): Prayagraj’s Proposep ₹12,000 crore metro project has moved a step forward, with RITES submitting a fresh Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC). The plan proposed 2 corridors, including an extension to the airport, but the project must secure state and central government approvals before it can move towards implementation.
The revised report retains the two corridors proposed for the city while incorporating changes to their alignment and interchange arrangements. The Uttar Pradesh government will review the proposal first. If it approves the plan, the DPR will be forwarded to the Centre for consideration.
Two corridors proposed for Prayagraj Metro
The fresh DPR retains two routes intended to connect key parts of the city, including residential areas, commercial centres and transport hubs.
- Corridor 1: Shantipuram-Chheoki in Naini.
- Corridor 2: Jhunsi-airport, including the proposed Aerocity area.
According to Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA) Vice-Chairman Rishiraj, who is the nodal officer for the metro project, the Jhunsi-Bamrauli corridor has been extended to the airport in the latest proposal, as per the TOI report.
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The revised plan also includes a ropeway station at Parade, where the two proposed metro corridors intersect. This would provide an interchange point between the metro network and the planned ropeway system.
Full-fledged metro plan replaces MetroLite proposal
Prayagraj’s metro plan has undergone several revisions over the past few years. RITES initially prepared a DPR for a full-fledged metro rail network. However, following directions from the state government, the consultancy firm subsequently prepared a MetroLite proposal featuring smaller stations and lighter infrastructure.
UPMRC later sought a fresh assessment of a full-fledged metro system. RITES conducted another survey last year and prepared the revised DPR, which has now been submitted to the corporation.
The latest proposal therefore returns to a conventional metro system rather than the lighter MetroLite model. Its implementation will depend on the government’s assessment of the revised plan and the arrangements for financing the project.
State and central approvals remain pending
The estimated project cost stands at around ₹12,000 crore. PDA officials said the proposal requires approval from both the state and central governments. The next steps are:
1. The Uttar Pradesh government reviews and approves the DPR.
2. UPMRC forwards the proposal to the Centre following state approval.
3. The central government considers the project and its financial support.
4. Funding arrangements and subsequent implementation steps are finalised.
No approval deadline, construction start date or commissioning timeline has been announced. Submission of the DPR marks progress in project preparation, but it does not mean that construction is imminent.
Airport and ropeway links widen the proposed network
The extension of the second corridor to the airport would bring air travel into the proposed metro network’s connectivity plan. The planned Aerocity area would also be covered by the alignment, while the proposed Parade ropeway station could link the two metro corridors with another public transport mode.
If approved and built, the network would provide a new rail-based option for travel across Prayagraj. However, the final scope, project cost and delivery schedule will depend on the government’s decisions on the DPR and funding.