The Noida Authority is set to finalize the detailed project report (DPR) for two new Metro routes in March. The two routes, collectively measuring around 27.5 km, are likely to come up at a combined cost of about Rs 5,500 crore and will bring Greater Noida and Noida Extension closer to Delhi.

According to officials, once the DPRs for the two proposed routes are finalized, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) could be inked in the next six months. "Currently, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is working on the DPRs for the two proposed routes," said G P Singh, executive director of Noida Metro Rail Company (NMRC). "Once finalized and approved by the state government, the MoU will be signed and construction will start," Singh explained.

The plan is to extend the Metro network from Noida Sector 71, the originating station of the Greater Noida Metro link, in what might eventually become a loop, covering various parts of Noida, Greater Noida and Noida Extension. As of now, the DPR is for an 11km stretch from Sector 71 to Greater Noida Knowledge Park V, via Noida sectors 122 and 123, Greater Noida Sector 4, Ecotech 12, Greater Noida sectors 2, 3 and 10. Another extension, of 16.5km, will link Line 8 (Janakpuri West-Botanical Garden) of DMRC's Phase-III through a proposed station at Kalindi Kunj near the Okhla Bird Sanctuary to Sector 143 on the route between Noida Sector 71 and Greater Noida Depot Station, said officials. No DPR for the loop, connecting Depot Station and Knowledge Park V in Greater Noida, has yet been proposed, though it is in the pipeline.

"The loop will consist of an extension from Noida City Centre to Greater Noida Knowledge Park V (KP-V), via Gaur City Square (Greater Noida Sector 4). Eventually, the Greater Noida loop will be completed by connecting to Noida City Centre via stations at Pari Chowk and Sectors-147, 143, 85, 101 and 50 in Noida, among others," explained Singh.

Singh further said while the route between Kalindi Kunj and Sector 142 is likely to have 6 stations - Kalindi Kunj in Delhi, Noida Sectors 125, 98, 108, 91 and 142 - the track between Noida Sector 71 and Greater Noida's KP-V will have upto 9 stations.

As per officials, estimated cost of the proposed Metro routes is about Rs 5,500 crore. The tracks alone will cost an estimated Rs 200 crore/km.

Meanwhile, Yamuna Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) has accepted DMRC's terms of reference of the Techno Economic Feasibility Report (TEFR) for a proposed 20.6 km Metro project between Greater Noida and YEIDA. Officials said they expect to sign an MoU for the feasibility report by end of the month.