Brazil's São Paulo metro line 6 project is running behind schedule and now expected to be ready in 2017, state governor Geraldo Alckmin was reported as saying by local paper Folha do São Paulo.

 

The new date is three years later than forecasted by former governor José Serra, who said the metro should be ready by 2014. A "realistic" schedule will see work start in 2013, with a first phase completed in 2017, according to Alckmin.

 

State urban transport secretary Jurandir Fernandes has also said the project cannot be completed in time for the 2014 World Cup, saying the delay is due to the lack of a clear vision surrounding the project, the report said.

 

Current plans see the metro line passing through the neighborhoods of Brasilândia and Freguesia do Ó in the city's northern district and Perdizes and Pompéia in the western district.

 

The metro line was announced in 2008 by then São Paulo governor Serra. The project was initially budgeted at 2bn reais (US$1.21bn).