Kanpur Metro update: EIB signs finance contract for Euro 650 million for funding of Kanpur Metro project

European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a finance contract for the funding of Kanpur Metro Project for Euro 650 million (INR 5551.99 Crore) on 31.08.2020 through a Virtual Signing Ceremony. The agreement was signed in the virtual presence of Ambassador of the European Union to India and Bhutan Mr. Ugo Astuto; Vice President of EIB Mr. Andrew McDowell; Dr. C.S. Mohapatra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance (GOI) and Managing Director UP Metro Rail Corporation Limited Mr. Kumar Keshav along with Director Finance UPMRC and other delegates from EIB, Ministry of Finance and European Union. 

The Signing Ceremony began with the opening remarks by Dr. C.S. Mohapatra who said, “This is indeed a significant step towards a sustained relation between India and the EIB and will certainly help boost large scale developmental projects in the country.” 

The signing of the Finance Contract has paved way for the sanctioning of loan amount to UPMRC for the construction and execution of Kanpur Metro Project. EIB shall be taking appraisal for the Agra Metro Project also in near future.

Vice President of EIB Mr. Andrew McDowell in his remarks said, “The exemplary work of UPMRC team in the execution of the Lucknow Metro Project and the records created by them both in terms of timely completion within allotted budget and green initiatives of the project definitely gave momentum to the signing of this Financial Contract for the Kanpur Project being executed by UPMRC. 

Expressing delight over the agreement and the Finance Contract signed 31.08.2020, Mr. Kumar Keshav Managing Director of Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation said, “UPMRC is extremely thankful to European Investment Bank for their continued support in development of Metro Rail projects in the State of Uttar Pradesh. Comfortable, fast, safe, energy efficient and affordable public transport systems like Metro are needed for cities to become the engines of growth in our Country. Faith and whole-hearted support of EIB in funding Lucknow Metro, a world-class Metro system in the capital city of Uttar Pradesh ahead of stipulated time and within the approved cost is a pride for all of us. On behalf of the UPMRC team, I again assure that fulfilling the trust shown by EIB in funding the Kanpur Metro project will be our highest priority in delivering this prestigious project in time which will further accelerate long term economic and social development of the city.”

Recent progress:

  • After the inauguration of the civil construction work of the Kanpur Metro project by hon’ble CM of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath and in the gracious presence of Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs (I/C) on 15th Nov., 2019, UPMRC is executing the Kanpur Metro project with remarkable pace.
  • Even during the post lock down period, strategic execution of the UPMRC’s engineers resulted in maintaining the workforce and keeping up the pace of the civil construction of the 9 km long Priority Corridor (IIT to Motijheel), while implementing all the guidelines issued by the governments.
  • Recently, UPMRC has commenced the erection of the U-girders in the esteemed presence of Chief Secretary, GoUP.
  • Besides, Kanpur Metro project has become the first metro project in India where the pre-casted double T-girders are being used for constructing the concourse level of the Metro stations and such innovations are paying quite well in speeding up the project.
  • As on 20.08.2020, 10 U-Girders have been erected at the viaduct of the Priority Corridor (IIT-Motijheel).
  • 22 double T-girders have also been erected for the concourse of the IIT station.
  • Total of 638 U-girders are to be laid on the 9 kms long Priority Section (IIT-Motijheel).

Source: UPMRC-Press Release