Greater Noida West- Will the metro arrive this time?

GreNo West: The lack of public transport in Greater Noida West has been a long concern for residents. Apart from the inconvenience, poor public transport facilities are a major cause of pollution in the area. Residents allege that every government promises that the metro facility would be provided for Greater Noida West. However, the promises are forgotten soon and public transport, especially the metro seems to be a long way from home.

The Uttar Pradesh government approved the budget for the greater Noida West metro before the assembly elections among the three proposed extensions of the metro for Greater Noida West 'Aqua Line'- from Sector 51 to Knowledge Park V (Greater Noida west), Botanical Garden to Sector 142, and Depot station to Bodaki in Greater Noida. However, the budget is yet to get the approval of the Central government.

As an extension to Noida's Aqua line, 5 stations are planned to be constructed on a 9.15 km long-elevated track. This will connect five stations-sectors 122 and 123, Greater Noida Sector 4, Ecotech 12 and Greater Noida Sector 2.

As gathered, a 4-storey metro station is planned to be constructed at Gautam Buddha Nagar for this route which is going to be India's first 4-storey metro station. A total of 9 stations are said to be constructed between the stations.

Moreover, the Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) has approved a budget of Rs 287.62 crore for the financial year 2022-2023 for the Noida-Greater Noida project and gave its approval for an internal audit report. The NMRC is expecting to complete the first phase of the Metro project in 24 months. The project is taken up by GR Infra Project Limited and Rs 500 crore will be allocated and spent on civil work.

We talked to a few residents of Greater Noida to know about their views on the subject.

Shubham Choudhary, a resident of Gaur City, Greater Noida says, "The nearest metro station from my home is Noida City Centre which is 11 km away from here. After the completion of the new aqua line extension project, it will be easier for the people to get the metro benefits."

Joginder Singh, a resident from sector 120 has doubts about the project. "The nearest metro to sector 120 is sector 52 which is 2.5 km away and the new metro on the aqua line will be more convenient but I don't believe the fact that they are going to start working on the project. I have been listening to this fact for years and the project gets postponed every time."

Brajesh Sharma, a resident of sector-101 Noida says, "Whenever I want to go to Noida Extension, I have to use my personal vehicle. The increased petrol prices make it difficult for the middle class. If the metro will start, it will be more convenient but the tender for the metro construction gets delayed all the time and I don't believe  that it is going to start anytime soon but let's hope for the best."