Guwahati Metro foundation laying on Feb 29

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi will lay the foundation stone of the ambitious Rs 18,020 crore Guwahati Metro Rail project on February 29.
"The foundation stone for the eagerly awaited Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) for Guwahati will be laid by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi at Khanapara on February 29," said an official release from the chief minister's office.
The 203-km metro corridor will be completed in three phases in five years, the release said, adding it forecasts traffic demand till 2045.
"The project has been prepared by RITES Ltd, a Government of India Enterprise.
The first phase will have a total length of 61.4 km and will have four corridors - namely Dharapur-Narangi (elevated, 22.6 km), MG Road-Khanapara (underground, 10 km), Jalukbari to Khanapara (elevated 19.4 km and ISBT-Paltanbazar (elevated, 9.4 km).

There will be altogether 54 stations in the four corridors and the train with three car racks will have a carrying capacity of upto 975 passengers, it said.

The state cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Gogoi had approved the detailed project report (DPR) for MRTS on February 20, it said.
"The projected cost, including land, is estimated at Rs 18,020 crore. Government of Assam and Government of India will share 20 per cent each of the total cost. Local bodies will contribute 2.01 per cent towards project completion cost," the statement said.
The remaining project cost will be funded through soft loans from funding agencies, it added.

The cabinet also approved the formation of special purpose vehicle, namely Guwahati Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (GMRCL) for implementing the project, the release said.
GMRCL will be wholly owned company of Government of Assam. The company will be converted into a joint ownership (50:50) SPV of Government of India and Government of Assam.
The SPV formed will look after operation and maintenance of the MRTS project, the statement said.
The chief secretary will be the Chairman of GMRCL and chief executive officer of GMDA will be its Managing Director, it added.