Lucknow : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for approving the metro rail projects for Agra and Kanpur, officials said.

He said these projects will not only ease congestion but also make commuting easier and environment friendly.

The Union Cabinet in a meeting chaired by Modi approved the Kanpur metro rail project having two corridors which will connect major public nodes and cluster areas of the city.

The length of IIT to Naubasta corridor will be 23.785 km. It would be partly elevated and partly underground. The section has 22 stations — 14 elevated and 8 underground.

The length of Agriculture University to Barra-8 corridor is 8.60 km comprising four elevated and four underground stations. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 11,076.48 crore and the project will be completed in 5 years, officials said.

IIT Kanpur to Naubasta corridor will pass through heart of the city covering several prominent educational institutions, railway and bus stations, including IIT Kanpur, CSJM University, GSYM Medical College, Jhakarkati bus station and Kanpur Central railway station.

The Cabinet also approved Agra metro rail project having two corridors. It would pass through the heart of the city and connect prominent tourist places including Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Sikandra as well as ISBT, Raja Ki Mandi Railway Station, Medical College, Agra Cant Railway Station, Collectorate, Sanjay Place and surrounding densely populated residential areas.

—IANS