Surat Metro depots to harness solar energy
The Germany Development Bank – KFW (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau) has signed a Euro442.26 million loan for the Euro1.5 billion Surat Metro Rail project which is also being co-financed by French Development Agency, AFD (Agence Française de Développemet) under a Euro250 million agreement signed on 28 Jan 2021.
The 40.35 km Surat Metro project aims to strengthen and augment the transport infrastructure of the Surat urban agglomeration. It will relieve traffic congestion and provide integrate town and land use planning through Transit-Oriented Development.
The project also aims to do an integrated multi-modal transport system in the influence zone of metro corridor to provide first and last mile connectivity and improved access to the metro system.
Further, solar energy shall be harnessed at both depots of Surat Metro.
The project is envisaged and planned to have a system and transformational impact in terms of a reliable and safer public transport, reduction in traffic congestion and reduction in long delays on major travel corridors in Surat city and urban area by providing integrated mass public transport system.
Claudia Schmerler, Head of Division, Climate Finance and Urban Mobility, signed the project loan for KFW while Rajat Kumar Mishra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, signed for the Indian Government, said the Finance Ministry on 17 Dec 2021. fiinews.com
