Agra Metro Rail Project: Route Map, Tourism, and Urban Mobility

Context: 

Recently, the Indian Prime Minister virtually inaugurated the priority corridor of the Agra Metro Rail Project.

Agra Metro: Connecting Heritage, Culture, and Modernity for Seamless Urban Mobility

Agra Metro is a rapid transit system developed in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India, aimed at enhancing transportation connectivity and boosting tourism in the historic city. It connects major tourist attractions such as the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Sikandra, facilitating seamless transportation for residents and visitors alike.

• Aim:  To connect the Unesco World Heritage sites including the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Sikandra Tomb, for tourists.
  • The priority corridor includes six Metro stations, three elevated and three underground.
  • Agra Metro marks the third project undertaken by UPMRC, following the successful implementation of the Lucknow and Kanpur Metro projects.
• History of Agra Metro: The foundation stone for the Agra metro rail project was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 7, 2020.
  • The project comprises two corridors with a total length of 29.4 kilometers, catering to the needs of the city’s population and tourists alike.
  • ‘Braj’ theme: The metro stations in Agra are decked up with paintings depicting the ‘Braj’ theme, culture, festivals and local temples.
• Foundation Stone: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first section of the Agra Metro, spanning 6 kilometers, on March 6, 2024, marking a significant milestone in the project’s development.
• Cost of Project: The estimated cost of the Agra Metro project is Rs 8,379.6 crore, funded through a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
• Stretch Route: The Agra Metro consists of two corridors:
  • The first corridor, spanning 13.7 kilometers, runs from Taj East Gate to Sikandra, featuring six elevated and seven underground stations.
  • The second corridor, covering 15.7 kilometers, operates from Agra Cantt to Kalindi Vihar, with all stations located above ground level.
• Technical Specification: The Agra Metro will use standard-gauge tracks and 750 V DC third rail electrification, and will have a top speed of 80 km/hr. 
  • The trains will be managed and operated in automated CBTC mode (Communication-Based Train Control) to ensure safety and efficiency.
• Environmental Friendly: All the metro trains are equipped with a regenerative braking system and will save up to 35 per cent energy. 
• • The trains have carbon dioxide-based sensors which save energy.
  • Project  is likely to recharge 10 lakh litres of groundwater every year. Three hundred recharge pits are being constructed along the 29.4km-long metro rail alignment for the purpose.

Significance of Agra Metro Rail Project:

Agra Metro aims to reduce travel time, alleviate traffic congestion, and enhance tourism and economic activity in the city.

• Technological Milestone: It showcases India’s engineering prowess and innovation, demonstrating the nation’s capability to undertake complex infrastructure projects.
• Transportation Revolution: It will reduce the travel time, ease the traffic congestion, and improve the connectivity of the city, especially for the major tourist attractions like Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Sikandra.
• Tourism and Economic Boost: it will benefit the 26 lakh population of the city and will also cater to more than 60 lakh tourists who visit Agra every year, boosting the tourism and economic activity in the region.

Listing all the Operational Metro Systems in India:

Metro Name	State/UT	Start Date
Kolkata Metro	West Bengal	October 24, 1984
Delhi Metro	Delhi	December 24, 2002
Chennai Metro	Tamil Nadu	June 29, 2015
Mumbai Metro	Maharashtra	June 8, 2014
Bengaluru Metro	Karnataka	October 20, 2011
Jaipur Metro	Rajasthan	June 3, 2015
Kochi Metro	Kerala	June 17, 2017
Hyderabad Metro	Telangana	November 29, 2017
Lucknow Metro	Uttar Pradesh	September 6, 2017
Ahmedabad Metro	Gujarat	March 4, 2019
Noida-Greater Noida Metro	Uttar Pradesh	January 25, 2019
Pune Metro	Maharashtra	September 5, 2022
Nagpur Metro	Maharashtra	March 7, 2019
Indore Metro	Madhya Pradesh	Not operational yet
Bhopal Metro	Madhya Pradesh	Not operational yet

Conclusion:

The launch of the Agra Metro represents a significant step towards modernizing transportation infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh and promoting tourism in the historic city of Agra. With its extensive stretch routes, innovative features, and focus on enhancing connectivity, the Agra Metro is poised to transform the city’s transportation landscape and contribute to its socio-economic development.

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