The Union Cabinet has approved the extension of the Noida Aqua Line metro from Sector 51 in Noida to Sector 4 in Greater Noida, a decision that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has publicly welcomed. The project is estimated to cost Rs 2,390 crore and will add an elevated corridor of 8.449 km with five new stations.
The extension is designed to link two of the region's fastest-growing areas more directly. According to the reporting, the new stretch will bring the combined Noida and Greater Noida metro network to 71.878 km. The government's stated aim is to shorten daily commutes for residents who travel between the two cities, which are separated by a busy corridor of housing, offices and industrial areas on the eastern bank of the Yamuna.
A key feature of the project is its interchange with the Blue Line at Sector 61, which will allow passengers to switch between the two corridors without leaving the transit system. The elevated design means the line will run above ground for its full length, avoiding the need for underground tunnelling.
In his public remarks, Prime Minister Modi framed the project around the everyday experience of commuters, asking why daily travel should become longer for people who depend on public transport. The Cabinet decision places the extension within the Aqua Line, the Uttar Pradesh metro corridor that already connects Noida to the national capital region's wider rail and metro grid.
Several details remain unclear from the available information. The construction timeline and the expected opening date have not been announced, and no figures have been given for projected ridership or fares. Those details are likely to determine how quickly the extension benefits commuters, and they are expected to be set out in later project planning.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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