Nagpur: The board of
MahaMetro has cleared proposal to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for coach assembly plant in Butibori. MahaMetro has pegged the cost of the plant at Rs350 crore but the actual figure will be known after the DPR is ready. The board meeting was held in Chennai on Thursday.
MahaMetro plans to assemble broad gauge as well as standard gauge coaches. The broad gauge coaches will be for Metro trains to Wardha, Bhandara, Katol and Ramtek while standard gauge coaches will be for Pune Metro. If MahaMetro gets orders from other Metros then it will set up a full scale coach manufacturing facility involving an investment of hundreds of crores and providing employment to thousands of people.
MahaMetro has set a target of completing the assembly plant within one year so that it does not have to buy coaches for Pune Metro. China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) will, however, supply coaches to Nagpur Metro.
The Metro agency wants central and state governments to invest in the project. It will also rope in a private partner for chipping in with funds and running the plant. MahaMetro will only have a supervisory role.