Bringing the much-awaited metro connectivity to the northern edge of the Nagpur Metropolitan Region a step closer, Maharashtra Government gave a formal nod to the proposal for extension of Nagpur Metro Phase-2 from Kanhan River to Kanhan city, on Monday. The approval paves the way for construction of a 1.40-km fully elevated corridor with one new station at Kanhan town at an estimated cost of Rs 310.35 crore. The decision follows recommendations of the updated Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) for Nagpur and the Nagpur Metropolitan Region, which identified the need to extend the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) beyond the originally planned Kanhan river terminal in view of the region’s future mobility requirements. The proposal received the nod of the Cabinet Infrastructure Committee on June 25, following which the Urban Development Department (UDD) issued the Government Resolution on Monday.

 

The project will be implemented by Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha-Metro) and financed through equity contributions from the Central and Maharashtra Governments, interest-free subordinate debt and concessional loans from bilateral or multilateral financial institutions. Of the total project cost, Rs 155.18 crore will be mobilised through external borrowing, while the State Government has approved equity assistance of Rs 39.88 crore besides financial support towards land acquisition, rehabilitation, taxes and interest during construction. The approved corridor will comprise one elevated station at Kanhan Town and will utilise the existing MIHAN and Hingna depots for operations and maintenance. The project is scheduled for completion by December 2027. The GR also authorises land acquisition wherever required, implementation of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), creation of a Dedicated Urban Transport Fund and execution of loan agreements necessary for project financing. A senior Metro official shared that the project would now move into the tendering phase, with subsequent implementation activities expected to gather momentum.