Trams planned for Sector 18, Kaushambi

NOIDA: Noida Authority is planning to start the city's first tram services from Sector 18 to IT sectors along the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway, a senior official told TOI on Sunday. The Ghaziabad Development Authority is also planning to start tram services in the city between Vaishali and Kaushambi.
Earlier, three routes had been chalked out for tram services in Noida. The 12 km pilot line was proposed between Sector 143B and Sector 137, running through sectors 142 and 143.The second route, proposed to be 25 km, would be the extension of the tram route to Sector 93, while the third route would be in Sector 150.
A senior official said that sectors 137, 143, 142 are still developing as residential sectors. "Since these sectors are in developing stage so there will be fewer passengers on this route. So, these routes are not economically feasible," the official said. "We believe that routes along Metro stations are best options to run trams. These routes compliment both Metro and tram. In the next phase we will ply trams along residential sectors," he added.
GDA chairman Santosh Yadav has asked his subordinates to explore routes for a tram service. "We are exploring Vaishali and Kaushambi as options. In the main city, running a tram is not a good idea due to heavy congestion," the official added.
Last month, a report on the tram project was tabled before UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, who asked officials to deliver the project as soon as possible. Tram services are also proposed from Greater Noida to the Yamuna Expressway region but those routes are yet to be decided.
The estimated cost of building a tram network is Rs 10-15 crore per kilometre and small routes of around 10 km can be developed within a year, according to officials. The Authority hopes to cover residential, institutional and commercial sectors like sectors 127, 129, 93, 137 and 143 under the tram network.