Metro network to be 60 km, to also cover Prayagraj airport

PRAYAGRAJ: In the near future, commuters of the Sangam city will get a sigh of relief from growing traffic congestion as the city is set to have a Metro system to ease urban transport. Moreover, the project will now include Prayagraj airport and the Sangam area as key stoppages, taking the total length of the network to nearly 60 km from the earlier proposed 44 km. In a significant shift, the project will be implemented as a full-fledged Metro Rail instead of the initially planned Metro system, as authorities found it more financially viable due to the availability of domestically manufactured coaches and operational systems, unlike Metro which depends on imported components.According to Vice Chairman, Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA), Rishi Raj, the expansion aligns with guidelines of the Union housing and urban development ministry and will significantly enhance connectivity across the city. The revised plan will increase the number of stations from 39 to 45, with the overall project cost expected to exceed Rs 12,000 crore. The network is designed to connect key transit hubs, including railway stations, bus stands, the airport, and the Sangam area, while also linking emerging residential and commercial zones.The Metro project will be developed along two major corridors. The first corridor, earlier planned between Bamrauli and Jhunsi City Lake over 23 km, has now been extended to around 39 km with the addition of the airport and ropeway connectivity to the Sangam. The second corridor will run from Shantipuram to Chheoki, covering approximately 21 km. In the first phase, 26 stations will be constructed on the Bamrauli–Jhunsi stretch, while 19 stations are planned between Shantipuram and Chheoki, with each station having a stoppage time of one to two minutes. Track-laying work is expected to begin in August, while state government approval is likely between April and May, and a fresh survey will be conducted to finalise new station locations.During the planning stage, multiple meetings were held among stakeholders, including the Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation, Prayagraj Development Authority, defence authorities, and consultants. Since parts of the proposed alignment pass through defence land, it was decided that necessary approvals would be obtained through the Defence Ministry’s LMS portal before finalising the DPR.For depot development, a joint inspection conducted on February 16, 2026 identified suitable land near Triveni Structures on Mirzapur Road for Corridor 2 and in the Khanupur area for Corridor 1. Officials believe the upgraded Metro project will not only improve connectivity across trans-Ganga and trans-Yamuna regions but also play a crucial role in reducing congestion and supporting Prayagraj’s rapid urban expansion.Proposed stations on Bamrauli-City Lake route are Airport, Bamrauli, Shamim Market, Transport Nagar, Ghiyasuddinpur, Meerapatti, Dhumanganj, Vasundhara Vihar Colony, Subedarganj, L Road, Prayagraj Junction, Civil Lines Bus Station, Civil Lines, Medical College Crossing, Madhwapur, Sangam, Azad Nagar, Jhunsi, Trivenipuram and City Lake Forest.Proposed stations on Shantipuram-Chheoki route are Shantipuram, Ganganagar, Phaphamau extension, Pitambar Nagar, MNNIT, Teliarganj, Mazar crossing, Allahabad University, University Road, Colonelganj, Pritamganj, Parade Ground, Minto Park, Maheva Patti, Ambedkar Nagar, Arail, Naini Bazaar road, Naini and Chheoki.