Nagpur Metro to construct multi-storey complex at junctions

NAGPUR, July 22: The Nagpur Metro Railway has decided to exploit the commercial opportunities at the two main junctions of North-South and East-West corridor where a multi-storey station complex will come up, a top official said. "The junction will have a multi-storey, may be a 25 storey complex, in the heart of the city which will have food plaza, shopping, commercial establishments, banks and other private venture, which will ultimately raise capital and make the Metro financially viable," Managing Director, Nagpur Metro Rail Corporation Ltd, Brijesh Dixit, said. "These junctions will not be just Metro platform, but we will fully explore possibility of attracting corporates and big industrial houses to use the premises and augment the revenue also," Dixit told PTI. On top of the multi-storey station complex will be a glass viewing gallery which will show case the panoramic view of city from the height, he said. Similarly, the east-west corridor passes close to Ambajhari lake and therefore the authorities have planned to build about one-kilometre long gallery which will enable visitors and commuters to enjoy the scenic beauty of the vast lake. On progress of the project, Dixit said the work on the car-shed (depot) at Mihan end (last point on north-south) has already commenced in May and tenders for first nine stations on the route have been floated. Similarly, the process of land acquisition for far west depot, near Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation industrial estate, is in progress. It is expected to be acquired soon as a series of meeting with officials in Mumbai were held recently, he added. Four international funding agencies from France, Germany, European Union and Japan are in regular touch with the Metro Rail and are keen to fund the 630 Million Euro (Rs 4,500 crore), while state and central government will share 20 percent each of remaining amount and five percent each by local bodies, Nagpur Municipal Corporation and Nagpur Improvement Trust, Dixit said. The financial proposals of foreign investors are under the consideration of Ministry of Finance and Urban Development Ministry and may be finalised within four to six months, he added.