The Times of India            17.12.2013

Officials hope for 50% funding for Metro from World Bank

LUCKNOW: Onno Ruhl, the country head of World Bank, met chief secretary Jawed Usmani on Monday to discuss the loan process for Metro rail project in city. A seven-member World Bank team is in the city to inspect the proposed Metro route and will submit its report to Ruhl on Thursday.

The team comprising experts from sectors like transport, social impact, environment etc., is gathering information about the Metro stations, routes, depot and the expected number of passengers. It visited the North South corridor from Munshipulia to Amausi airport on Saturday and inspected the East West corridor from Vasantkunj to Charbagh on Sunday.

While officials refused to divulge the details of the meeting, sources said Ruhl was quite optimistic about the developments in the project so far. An official on condition of anonymity said, "The team is quite convinced with the design and detailed project report of the Metro. They would give the feedback to country head on Thursday; things would become clear only after that."

The fact that experts from various countries are visiting Lucknow to study the project shows their interest in it. The one-week stay of World Bank team shows it is convinced with the project and might consider funding it as well, the official added.

If this happens, Lucknow Metro will be the first metro project in the country to be funded by World Bank. Metro cell is hoping for 50% funding from the world Bank. The rest funding would be shared between the Centre and the state government and other sources of innovative funding. The apex financial institution has been supporting agriculture, roads and highways projects as well in UP.

Ruhl also met the transport, traffic and municipal corporation officials to collect information about the current transport and traffic conditions in the city.