Maharashtra Govt approves Rs2100 crore ‘Metro Neo' project

Nashik (Urban Transport News): Maharashtra Government on Wednesday has approved a state-of-the-art Mass Rapid Transit System "Metro Neo" for the city of Nashik.

It is indeed a moment of great pride for the people/city of Nashik which has been selected for this unique, innovative and prestigious project. The mass rapid transport system (MRTS) named "METRO NEO" will be the first such system being developed in this country.

The proposal will now be submitted to the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MOHUA) for final approval. The task of providing an efficient, safe, comfortable, reliable, environment-friendly and appropriate transport system for the city of Nashik was entrusted to Maha-Metro by Govt. of Maharashtra in Nov/Dec 2018.

The feasibility report was taken up in January 2019 and after regular consultations with Nashik Municipal Corporation, CIDCO, public representatives and other stakeholders, the detailed project report (DPR) was prepared and submitted to the Govt. of Maharashtra for approval.

The concept of Nashik Metro Neo was formulated after a very extensive and comprehensive technical consultation, interactions and due diligence with several stakeholders/technical experts. The system is eco-friendly, energy-efficient, reliable, safe and capable of providing an efficient mass public transport system which is ideally suitable for the traffic need of cities having a population similar to Nashik in India as well as similar cities abroad. 

The government of India has been contemplating since long to find an optimal transport solution for cities having a population of 2-3 million since appropriate MRTS has not been explored anywhere in India. The model developed for Nashik was discussed on various forums and finally, Govt. of India on August 21, 2019, constituted a committee under the chairmanship of Dr. Brijesh Dixit, Managing Director of Maha-Metro for standardization of detail specifications for a RubberTyred Mass Rapid Transportation System with a view to implementing this across India.

On this occasion, Dr. Brijesh Dixit, MD, Maha Metro said,

Nashik is the first city in INDIA who got approval for such an innovative, unique, eco-friendly and first of its kind MRTS system, it will be a game-changer and a milestone for the MRTS system in INDIA and abroad.

The approval of Metro Neo was possible due to the efforts of Hemant Godse, MP, Mrs. Ranjana P Bhanasi, Mayor NMC, Mrs. Devyani Pharande, MLA, Mrs. Seema Hire, MLA, Balasaheb Sanap, MLA. Dr. Brijesh Dixit, MD Maha Metro, Radhakrishan Game, commissioner NMC and N K Sinha, ED Maha Metro. Maharashtra Govt, MOHUA (Govt of India), CIDCO, NMC, MIDC, and Maha Metro jointly worked to make the project a success.