By IANS
Chandigarh : Ludhiana – one of the biggest industrial cities in Asia located in Punjab – will soon have a metro rail. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Punjab government and the Delhi Metro Rail Corp (DMRC) Tuesday for setting up the state’s first mass rapid transport system (MRTS).
The project is expected to cost over Rs.30 billion.
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal described the signing of the MoU as a historic landmark for Punjab. “This will completely revolutionise the development scenario in the state,” said Badal.
The state government announced that a similar metro rail system was also being proposed for the Sikh holy city of Amritsar and the Mohali town adjoining state capital Chandigarh.
DMRC chief engineer S.D. Sharma and Punjab’s special principal secretary S.S. Sandhu signed the MoU.
“This will mark Punjab’s entry into the age of post-modern technology,” Akali Dal acting president Sukhbir Badal said.
According to the agreement, the DMRC will prepare a detailed project report (DPR) within six months. The Ludhiana metro would be built under the public-private participation model.
Ludhiana, a leading industrial and commercial city of the country, faces numerous problems due to traffic congestion and pollution. With vehicle density one of the highest in the country, roads in the city remain clogged most of the time. The Ludhiana metro project is expected to significantly ease the current situation.