While making a cost comparison of Underground and Elevated Metro, the following aspects need to be considered.
It should be appreciated that the DPR produced by DMRC does not give break up of the cost comparison of Elevated and Underground Metro. Other than mentioning that the Underground option is much costlier, there is no quantified justification of the cost difference. The same needs to be sought from DMRC.
As per the Information available with us, tender for Underground Metro has been accepted by Kolkata Metro recently for an amount of Rs.385 Cr /km.
Study made by IIT Mumbai for a Comparative Evaluation of Elevated and Underground Metro (copy of Which has been provided to you) clearly justifies that the Underground Metro actually works out Cheaper when all the aspects mentioned above are HONESTLY considered.
A misnomer is that Pune has Rock bed and hence underground construction will be costlier. In fact Pune has one of the best strata to build underground tunnels. Its a self sustaining strata hence No or Minimum lining is required hence there will be phenomenal saving in cost of lining the tunnels with concrete. It is green option and removed rocks crushed to metal can be used for construction as metal and stone dust. It will be further sustainable as ugly face mining and crushing of hills that is happening around will not be needed.
It is therefore a myth that Underground option is costlier if one looks at it holistically and rationally and this needs to be understood while accepting the DMRC claim.
