Budget 2022: A break-up of this year's allocation for MRTS, metro projects

Budget 2022 has allocated a sum of Rs 23,875 crore for MRTS (mass rapid transit systems) and metro projects - which includes the Rs 19,130 crore allocated amount for metro projects.

It also includes Rs 35 crore for Transport Planning and Capacity Building in Urban Transport, and Rs 4,710 crore for the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) - which is implementing the regional rapid transit system (RRTS) project in the national capital region (NCR).

Meanwhile, french multinational rolling stock manufacturer Alstom has manufactured metro coaches and train sets for several urban metro projects in the country.

In July last year, Alstom began the manufacturing of modern, commuter and transit trains for India's very first RRTS corridor, which connects Delhi, Ghaziabad and Meerut. With this, the country will adopt the European Train Control System or ETCS in mainline railways for the very first time with the first phase of the regional rapid transit network in NCR.

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''The total budget estimates of Rs 23,875 crore for MRTS & Metro Projects will incentivise faster implementation of projects and the standardisation of metro design systems will provide the much-needed stability for manufacturers,'' said Alain Spohr, Managing Director, Alstom India & South Asia.

''We were anticipating FM’s announcement regarding plans for the private train operations; however, this budget provides the overall push towards economic growth and addresses the key priorities of the government,'' added Spohr.

In her budget speech, the finance minister explained that multimodal connectivity between mass urban transport and railway stations in the country will be facilitated on priority.

Sitharaman added that innovative ways will be encouraged for financing as well as faster implementation for building metro systems of appropriate type at scale.