Efforts would be to complete Lucknow Metro Rail metro project by 2016: CM Akhilesh Yadav

The UP government today officially commenced work on the ambitious Lucknow Metro Rail and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said efforts would be to finish the project by 2016. Akhilesh was speaking at the "bhoomi pujan" of the metro rail project here.

At the foundation stone-laying of the Lucknow Metro Rail Project (LMRP), SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav had urged the UP government to make metro operational within one-and half year.

"At that time he (Mulayam) said it should start before the next assembly election and fixed the time frame. Our effort will be that the project is completed as told by Netaji," he said.

"I hope that the project is completed on time and the metro becomes operational by 2016," he added.

Akhilesh also said UP was the "lone" state in the country where the metro project was underway simultaneously at three places - Noida, Ghaziabad and Lucknow.

"There is no other state where the project is being carried out simultaneously at so many places at one time. Several states attempted to start the metro, but it took time," he said.

In the first phase of the project, around 23 km route would be constructed from Amausi to Munshipullia under North-South corridor in the city. Akhilesh said efforts would be made to start the service in other cities in the state which were expanding in terms of area and population.

"Once the work on LMRP is complete it will not only facilitate the people, but will also create employment. While on one hand the city will become a better place, common people, facing problem of traffic jams will get relief," he said.

Akhilesh said that after bye-elections several questions have been answered.

"Bye-elections have answered many a questions. Earlier, some termed me as the worst CM, some said there five-and-a-half CM, some considered me too young in terms of experience," he said.

"In politics you have to compete with many things. You compare us with any other government in the country, you will find that the best work has been done by SP government," he said.

The CM also expressed gratitude towards Metro Man and advisor Lucknow metro E Sridharan, who was present at the occasion.

Akhilesh said work is underway on the ambitious Agra-Lucknow Expressway.

The CM said that along with the modern means of transportation the SP government was also working to promote cycling.