The Detailed Project Report (DPR) prepared by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation for Surat city metro railway was submitted to the central government last week for approval. The project is pegged at a cost of Rs 15,234 crore.

While 60 percent of the cost will be loaned from Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the remaining 40 percent will be borne by the central and state governments.

Work is expected to begin by 2018.

Phase-I of the project will have a total length of 40.35 km and 38 stations.

At present, MEGA Company is overseeing the Surat project. A chief engineer will soon be appointed to kick-start the project.

The Surat metro project will have two corridors — a 21.61 km long corridor between Sarthana and Dream City, and an 18.74 km corridor between Bhesan and Saroli, which is a fully elevated section that will cross Tapi river.