Jaipur: State govt’s recent decision to carry out a feasibility survey for Metro Line 1C extension has not only put the project under scanner, but has also raised questions on restrictions on traffic movement on a congested stretch of Delhi Road for the past two years.Jaipur Metro Railway Corporation (JMRC) has restricted access to an 800-900 metre stretch on the Jaipur-Delhi highway near Transport Nagar for the past two years for the planned Metro Line 1C extension. A traffic official, who did not wish to be named, said, “Large commercial vehicles still prefer this highway to the Delhi expressway due to lower cost both in terms of fuel (km) and toll charges. Most importantly, the volume of local traffic, at least till the Jaisinghpura Khor crossing of this road, is quite high. Given the volume of traffic on this stretch, such a blockade for almost two years, that too for a project that faces uncertainty, is unacceptable.”On Tuesday afternoon, when Team TOI visited the spot, traffic was moving significantly slower on this stretch on both flanks of the Delhi Road. Locals claimed the problem worsens during peak evening and morning hours.JMRC officials stated that former CM Ashok Gehlot laid the foundation stone for Metro Line 1C—from Badi Chaupar to Transport Nagar—on Sept 21, 2023, right before the 2023 assembly elections. Although work on shifting the underground utility lines started with immediate effect, metro authorities were asked to stop the project when the new BJP govt initiated a fresh feasibility survey.“The state govt wants to check whether this line is feasible or an alternative extension to Ramgarh Mod via Hawa Mahal Road and Amer Road is better. As the project is still officially on, we have not removed the blockade to avoid additional costs. The feasibility report is expected very soon,” a metro official said.
