New Delhi, Nov. 12 -- The Centre on Wednesday approved an 8.449-km extension of the Noida Metro's Aqua Line at a cost of Rs.2,390 crore, paving the way for improved connectivity between Noida, Greater Noida West and the wider Delhi-NCR Metro network. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cleared the project, which will have five elevated stations and connect Noida Sector 51 with Greater Noida Sector 4. A key feature of the extension will be an interchange with the Delhi Metro's Blue Line at Noida Sector 61, providing commuters with an additional connection to the Delhi-NCR Metro network. The proposed corridor will expand the operational metro rail network across Noida and Greater Noida to 71.878 km "The extension will take metro connectivity deeper into sectors 72, 73, 70, 123, 122 and Parthala of Noida region. It will also connect Greater Noida West areas, including sectors 1 and 4," said Krishna Karunesh, chief executive officer of the Noida Authority and head of NMRC. The project has undergone changes since its initial proposal. The original alignment envisaged an 18-km corridor from the Delhi Metro's Sector 61 station on the Blue Line to Knowledge Park V in Greater Noida. However, the Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) had to revise its DPR following a proposal of Ghaziabad-Jewar RRTC through Gaur Chowk. Improved access The proposed corridor will expand the operational metro rail network across Noida and Greater Noida to 71.878 km, while improving connectivity to several commercial and employment hubs. These include Gaur City Mall, H&S Mall, Blue Sapphire Mall and commercial developments in Greater Noida's Sector 4. It will also provide better access to IKEA in Noida's Sector 51 and Anthurium Mall in Sector 73. The project is expected to provide better connectivity to areas that currently have limited efficient public transport links and integrate them with the existing metro network. The route is expected to serve offices and employment hubs, including Tech Mahindra and TCL Tech in Sector 60, the Oil Industry Development Board in Sector 73 and Golden I commercial space in Greater Noida Sector 4. It will also improve access to educational and healthcare facilities, including Delhi Public School in Sector 122, Kailash Hospital, Rama Hospital in sectors 70 and 62, and Cloud9 Hospital in Sector 51. Residential areas such as Cleo County in Sector 122 and Gaur City 1 and 2 in Greater Noida Sector 4 are also expected to benefit. The government said the extension would provide an alternative to road-based transport, potentially reducing traffic congestion and travel time while improving road safety. A shift towards metro-based commuting is also expected to reduce carbon emissions compared with fossil-fuel-based transport. Improved connectivity to workplaces, commercial centres and transport hubs, including Delhi airport, railway stations and bus depots, is expected to support economic activity and local businesses around the new stations, the government said....