Noida-Greater Noida Metro Aqua Line to start from October: Check stations, route; how it will benefit residents

Noida-Greater Noida Metro Aqua Line: The Aqua Line connecting Noida and Greater Noida is expected to become operational by October after final inspection by the commissioner for metro rail safety (CMRS) by September-end, according to a report. Officials said they were hopeful of giving a Diwali gift to commuters, TOI reported. The Metro line will be nearly 30-km long with 22 stations.

The Noida-Greater Noida Metro Aqua Line will begin at Noida City Centre and will have stations in Sectors 50, 51, 78, 101, 81, Dadri road, 83, 85, 137, 142, 143, 144, 147, 153 and sector 149 in Noida and then it will enter Greater Noida through Knowledge Park-II. The Metro line will go through Pari Chowk, Sector-Alpha 1 and 2, finally terminating at Delta 1 station near Knowledge Park-IV in Greater Noida. 

This Metro project was approved in 2013 with the Uttar Pradesh and central governments contributing 20 per cent each. The rest of the project cost has been raised through borrowing from the market.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will assist the Noida Rail Metro Corporation (NMRC) operating rail service for 1 year on this line.  According to a PTI report, NMRC has entered into a MoU with DMRC for taking up the operation of the 30-km line. Power connections at all the station have been reportedly fixed and non-executive staff for operation and maintenance have been recruited by the NMRC and their training is under progress.

NMRC has also issued tenders for semi-naming rights for all stations as well as other related activities for operations of the Aqua Line, the report said. According to officials, 87 per cent of the overall work is complete on this line and it is expected to start operation from September-end.