Nagpur: The long-awaited Kamptee-Kanhan Metro extension under Nagpur Metro Phase-II is scheduled for completion by Dec 2027, with the state govt making it clear that any cost escalation beyond the sanctioned project cost of ₹310.35 crore will be borne entirely by MahaMetro.According to a govt resolution (GR) dated July 20, MahaMetro has been authorised to raise ₹155.18 crore — 60% of the ₹258.64 crore cost eligible for govt assistance — through bilateral, multilateral or other financial institutions.The Centre and Maharashtra will contribute ₹39.88 crore each as equity. The state govt will also provide ₹63.57 crore as an interest-free subordinate loan, including ₹27.1 crore for land acquisition and rehabilitation, ₹11.85 crore towards its share of central taxes, ₹20.97 crore for state taxes, and ₹3.65 crore towards interest during construction and front-end fees.The GR states that the state will not provide funds beyond its approved contribution. Any increase in project cost arising from delays, currency fluctuations, changes in scope, or components not included in the detailed project report (DPR) will have to be absorbed by MahaMetro.The 1.4km fully elevated extension from the proposed Kanhan River Metro station to Kanhan town will add one elevated station and extend the Phase-II Kamptee corridor across the Kanhan River into the suburban settlement. The proposal was approved by the Infrastructure Committee on June 25.The corridor will require 9,835 square metres of permanent land, with ₹27.10 crore earmarked for acquisition and rehabilitation. The project includes ₹72.89 crore for alignment and viaduct construction, ₹35.88 crore for the Kanhan Town station, and ₹33.77 crore for rolling stock.Signalling and telecommunications works are estimated at ₹20.73 crore, while ₹14.77 crore has been allocated for traction and power supply. Another ₹4.22 crore has been earmarked for multimodal integration and last-mile connectivity. No separate depot will be built for the extension, with trains proposed to use MahaMetro’s existing facilities at Mihan and Hingna.The GR has also approved the methodology for calculating passenger fares. Ticket rates will be calculated by applying a 7% annual escalation to the Phase-II fare structure. MahaMetro will reassess the corridor’s financial viability before commercial operations begin and seek prior state approval if any changes are required.Farebox revenue will be supplemented through station naming and co-branding rights, advertisements on coaches, tickets, pillars and viaducts, parking leases, kiosks, ATMs, commercial property development, and events organised on Metro premises. The DPR estimates non-fare revenue at around 10% of fare revenue.Three-coach trains will be designed to carry 764 passengers at a density of six persons per square metre and up to 975 passengers at eight persons per square metre. The DPR estimates the project’s economic internal rate of return at 21.5%, compared with a financial internal rate of return of 2.97%.The state govt formally approved the Kamptee-Kanhan Metro extension through the GR nearly a month after receiving cabinet clearance. The project is expected to extend Metro connectivity beyond the Kanhan River and improve access to the rapidly growing suburban belt along the Kamptee corridor.
