**Executive Summary**
This document addresses Unstarred Question No. 183 in Lok Sabha regarding the status and timelines of the Nashik Metro Project, to be answered on January 29, 2026. The question seeks details on the project's announcement, clearances, timelines, hurdles, the choice of Metro Neo, and operational readiness before the Kumbh Mela in 2027. The response indicates the project's inclusion in the 2021-22 Budget Speech and that the proposal has been returned to the Government of Maharashtra with observations after thorough examination.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Project Overview:**
* Urban Transport, including Metro Rail, is a State subject.
* Planning and development are handled by respective State Governments/Union Territories.
* **Government of India's Role:**
* Provides financial assistance for metro rail projects according to existing policy.
* Metro rail projects undergo thorough appraisal and examination at various levels in the Central Government due to their high cost.
* Projects are approved after examining cost-effective options to ensure long-term sustainability.
* **Nashik Metro Project Specifics:**
* Mentioned in the Budget Speech of 2021-22.
* Government of Maharashtra submitted a rubber-tyred Metro Neo system proposal.
* The proposal was returned to the Government of Maharashtra with observations after examination.
**Impact Analysis**
**Government of Maharashtra**
* **Impact:** Responsible for planning and developing the Urban Transport system, including the Nashik Metro Rail, and needs to respond to observations.
* **Action Required:** Address observations and resubmit the Metro Neo proposal.
**Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs**
* **Impact:** Responsible for overseeing the development and approval of urban transport projects including the Nashik Metro Rail.
* **Action Required:** Re-evaluate the revised proposal from the Government of Maharashtra and take it up for approval after examining other cost-effective options for ensuring long-term sustainability of the project.
Key Entities Referenced
Nashik Metro Project: The subject of the parliamentary question, regarding its construction, clearances, timelines, and status.
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs: The ministry responsible for answering the questions about the Nashik Metro Project.
Budget Speech of 2021-22: Document in which the Nashik Metro Project was mentioned.
Kumbh Mela: Referenced as a target date for the Nashik Metro completion.
Maharashtra: The state where the project is located, responsible for submitting the proposal.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 183
TO BE ANSWERED ON JANUARY 29, 2026
STATUS AND TIMELINES OF NASHIK METRO PROJECT
NO. 183. SHRI RAJABHAU PARAG PRAKASH WAJE:
Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the construction of Nashik Metro Project was announced during
the Budget Speech of 2021 and if so, the details and current status
thereof;
(b) the details of necessary clearances that are required, received and yet to
be availed;
(c) the details of the timelines fixed for the execution of each component
of the project along with the details of budgetary allocations in this
regard;
(d) the details of hurdles being faced in the execution of the project along
with the steps taken/proposed to be taken to overcome such hurdles and
the timelines fixed in this regard;
(e) whether any study has been carried out to examine the reasons for
preferring untested Metro Neo over Heavy Metro for Nashik which is
becoming crowded city and if so, the details thereof; and
(f) whether the Government intends to make the Nashik Metro operational
before the Kumbh Mela in 2027 and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
(SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)
(a) to (f): Urban Transport including Metro Rail is an integral part of urban
development, which is a State subject. Planning and development of
Urban Transport system including Metro Rail is done by respective State
Governments/ Union Territories. Government of India considers financial
assistance to these projects as per extant policy. Metro rail projects are
highly cost intensive, which undergoes thorough appraisal process and
examination at different level in Central Government. Such cost intensive
projects are taken up for approval after examining other cost effective
options for ensuring long term sustainability of the project. Nashik Metro
Project has figured in Budget Speech 2021-22. Government of
Maharashtra has submitted rubber tyred Metro Neo system for Nashik.
However, the proposal after thorough examination has been returned to
Government of Maharashtra with observations.
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