The Uttar Pradesh (UP) state government is considering expanding the metro rail services to the cities of Bareilly, Jhansi, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Meerut and Prayagraj.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has expressed its interest in funding the Gorakhpur Metro Lite project.

It is currently awaiting the approval of the Union Cabinet. The state cabinet along with the Public Investment Board (PIB) have already given their clearance for the first phase of the project.

On Tuesday, Chief Minister (CM) Yogi Adityanath issued directives to commence the concerned initiative in Gorakhpur in the coming six months.

The project is worth Rs 2,670 crore and it will be having 14 elevated stations on a 15.14 km long stretch in the first phase.

It covers the Gorakhpur railway station, Gorakhnath Mandir, Gorakhpur University along with the AIIMS hospital that was commissioned recently.

Officials in the know of the developments told the Times of India (TOI) that the state government is eager to provide eco-friendly and viable commuting options to its urban population. Around 24 per cent of the urban masses of UP contribute to 65 per cent of the state's GDP.

The state government has asked for the detailed project reports (DPR) for Prayagraj, Jhansi, Meerut and Varanasi. Officials have been told by CM Yogi to make DPRs for the Metro Neo project in Bareilly too.