The Central Government has given informal approval for the metro line connecting Greater Noida Depot to Bodaki, indicating that formal approval may follow soon, as reported by a local news source. Conversely, the metro project extending from Sector-51 to Knowledge Park-5 is currently on hold due to unresolved routing for the Namo Bharat Train.

In November 2019, the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved a metro route from Sector-61 to Knowledge Park-5 in Greater Noida West, which was intended to pass through Sector-51 towards Baba Balaknath Temple (Sector-72) and the Parthala roundabout. However, this route was rejected by the central authorities due to inadequate connectivity between the Aqua and Blue Lines at Sector-51.

Approximately three years ago, an alternative route was proposed, extending from Sector-51 to Sector-61, 71, and 121, leading to the Parthala roundabout. The state government had approved the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for this route and submitted it to the central government six months ago, but there has been no progress. The delay is attributed to the pending decision on the Namo Bharat train route, which is expected to connect to Jewar Airport via Greater Noida West and Ghaziabad.

Will The Metro Only Reach Sector-2?

Officials suggest that if the Namo Bharat train is routed to Jewar via Greater Noida West, the metro may only extend from Sector-51 to Sector-2 in Greater Noida. This would necessitate a new DPR to be drafted and approved. There has been a longstanding demand for metro access to Greater Noida West, and the project has undergone several revisions.

Hope For Over Three Lakh Residents

Currently, Greater Noida West is home to around three lakh residents, with projections indicating further population growth in the next five years. Traffic congestion is a daily issue from Kisan Chowk to Ek Murti, forcing residents to rely on costly cabs and auto-rickshaws. Local inhabitants emphasize the urgent need for metro services in their area.

Rajeev Kumar, a resident of Sector-2, expressed that the metro is crucial for the 130-meter road in Greater Noida West, as accessing the Noida Metro is quite challenging. Meanwhile, Harish Khurana from Gaur City mentioned that he spends between 150 to 200 rupees daily commuting to and from Sector-51, placing a significant financial strain on him.