INDIA: The Asian Development Bank announced on December 16 that it will provide a US$176m loan for the construction of Phase IB of the Jaipur metro as well as studies for a second line.
The loan will cover most of the US$259m construction cost of Phase IB, with the Rajasthan government funding the remainder. Work began in October on the 2·3 km extension from Chandpole to Badi Chopar, with an intermediate station at Choti Chopar; it is planned to open by March 2018. During its first year of operation it is planned to carry 126 000 passengers per day and generate around 61% of all journeys on Line 1.
The underground extension will be built to minimise risk from flash floods and other climate-related events. The structural design will ensure that there is no impact on historic buildings on the surface.
The ADB loan will also support studies into a planned 23 km north–south Line 2. These will review the route and traffic demand, and identifying financing options.
