GUWAHATI, Feb 29 - Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday laid the foundation stone of the ambitious Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) for the capital city, asserting that this project is a milestone in the development front of the State and will be a dream come true for the Guwahatians.
Addressing a meeting held on the occasion at the Veterinary ground at Khanapara, here, Gogoi said that this was a historical moment and was reflective of the progress made by the State in more than a decade. He said that before the Congress came to power, the State was pushed to the brink of despair.
�But now there is a sense of hope and fulfilment with the law and order improving, employment opportunities growing and investment pouring in,� said Gogoi, emphasising the need to improve the waterways also to take the State into greater heights of development.
The total length of the metro corridor will be 203 km and expected to be completed in three phases and forecasts traffic demand up to 2045. The detailed project report for Phase-I has been prepared for a total length of 61.4 km. There will be four corridors and a total of 54 stations in Phase-1.
The exercise of setting up the metro rail system in Guwahati was initiated in 2012-13. The project will be implemented by Guwahati Metro Rail Corporation Ltd.
The total cost of the project will be over Rs 18,000 crore and the project will be completed in five years. The Centre and the Assam government will bear 40 per cent of the total cost while nearly 58 per cent of the cost will be funded through soft loans.
The function was attended by many dignitaries, including MLA Akon Bora, Chief Secretary VK Pipersenia, and others. Speaking on the occasion, Pipersenia mentioned that the support of the public was very crucial for quick implementation of the project.
