Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the construction work of the Agra Metro Rail Project (AMRP) in Uttar Pradesh.
The AMRP was announced in March last year, whereas the construction work launched today, the 7th of December through a virtual meeting.
While Mr. Modi participated in the event virtually, the Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other dignitaries attended the event in person. The ceremony started at 12:15 P.M., at 15 Battalion PAC parade ground in Agra, Uttar Pradesh.
The Agra Metro Project would be a step to development and would ease the living and travel for the people of Agra. Nearly 26 lakh population of Agra and more than 40 lakh tourists would be benefited from the new project.
Mr. Modi during the inauguration said, “A big problem with infrastructure development in the country was that projects were announced but not much attention was paid on the arrangement of funds. Hence, projects kept dragging for years. My govt (Government) focused on starting new projects as well as arranging funds for them.” He further said, “Efforts are also being made to attract tourists through schemes like Swadesh Darshan and Prasad. With the efforts of the government, India is now ranked at number 34 in the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index. In 2013, India was ranked 65th in this index. I hope, as the situation of (the) Coronavirus pandemic continues to improve, soon the charm of tourism sector will also return again.”
The Agra Metro project comprises of two corridors with a total length of 29.4 km and would connect major tourist attractions like the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Sikandra with railway stations and bus stands.
It would also provide an environment friendly Mass Rapid Transit System to the historic city of Agra.
The estimated cost of the project is said to be Rs. 8,379.62 crores and is likely to be completed in 5 years, 2025.
Stay tuned for further updates.
