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Ahmedabad Metro

(Redirected from MetroLink Express Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad)

Ahmedabad Metro is a rapid transit system for the cities of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar in Gujarat state of India. Currently the System is 58.66 km (36.450 mi) and has 38 stations.[6]

Ahmedabad Metro
Ahmedabad metro train
Ahmedabad metro train
Overview
Native nameઅમદાવાદ મેટ્રો
OwnerGujarat Metro Rail Corporation Limited
Area servedAhmedabad Metropolitan Reigon
(Gandhinagar)
(GIFT City)
Transit typeRapid transit
Number of lines2 (Phase-1)[1]
2 (Phase-2)
Line numberFully operational
Number of stations49 (Operational)
32 (Phase-1)
22 (Phase-2)
Daily ridership94,000 (Oct 2023- Sep 2024)[2]
Annual ridership3,45,47,000 (Oct 2023- Sep 2024)[2]
Chief executiveDurga Shanker Mishra (Chairman)
HeadquartersBlock No.1, First Floor, Karmayogi Bhavan, Sector 10/A, Gandhinagar-382010[3]
WebsiteGujarat Metro
Operation
Began operation4 March 2019; 5 years ago (2019-03-04)
Operator(s)Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Limited
CharacterUnderground and elevated
Train length3 coaches
Technical
System length58.66 km (36.45 mi) (Phase-1)[4]
5.42 km (3.37 mi) (Phase-2) (under construction)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge[5]
Electrification750 V DC Third rail
Average speed33 km/h (21 mph)
Top speed80 km/h (50 mph)
Ahmedabad Metro
Legend
Red Line
Extension
Mahatma Mandir
Sector-24
Sector-16
Juna Sachivalaya
Akshardham
Sachivalaya
Sector-10A
Sector-1
Infocity
Dholakuva Circle
Red Line
Branch Line
Randesan
GIFT City
Raysan
PDEU
GNLU
Koba Gam
Juna Koba
Koba Circle
Narmada Canal
Tapovan Circle
Vishwakarma College
Koteshwar Road
Phase-2
Phase-1
Motera Stadium
Thaltej Gam
Sabarmati
Thaltej
AEC
Doordarshan Kendra
Sabarmati Railway Station
Gurukul Road
Ranip
Gujarat University
Vadaj
Commerce Six Road
Vijay Nagar
SP Stadium
Usmanpura
Old High Court
Gandhigram
Sabarmati River
Paldi
Shahpur
Shreyas
Gheekanta
Rajiv Nagar
Kalupur Railway Station
Jivraj Park
Kankaria East
APMC
Apparel Park Depot
Gyaspur Depot
Apparel Park
Red Line
 
Amraiwadi
Rabari Colony
Vastral
Nirant Cross Road
Vastral Gam
Blue Line
 

The Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Limited was established in February 2010 and the 40.03 km (24.873 mi) long Phase–1 of the project was approved in October 2013 with two corridors, North–South and East–West. The construction started on 14 March 2015. A 6.5 km (4.039 mi) section of East–West corridor was inaugurated on 4 March 2019 and opened to the public on 6 March 2019. The rest of the Phase–1 was inaugurated on 30 September 2022 and opened to public on 2 and 6 October 2022; except the Thaltej Gam end and three stations.[7]

History

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the metro on 30 September 2022.

In 2003, Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board carried out the study for urban transport between Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad. It also carried out the detailed project report through Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and RITES and submitted it in June 2005 and received Central Government's approval in the same year.[8][9] Following the estimated cost of ₹4,295 crore (US$510 million) and the study of the viability of the project, it was abandoned in 2005 to give priority to the Ahmedabad BRTS and suburban railway projects. In 2008, considering the future developments in and around Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, the project was revived and new corridors were designed to make the project viable.[10][11]

The special purpose vehicle company, Metro Link Express for Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad Company Ltd, later renamed Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Limited (GMRC) in 2018, was established by Government of Gujarat on 4 February 2010 with ₹202 crore (US$24 million). Later in 2014, it was decided that the Central Government will own 50% of the company.[12][13]

Construction

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Phase-1

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North-South Corridor under construction near Sabarmati Powerhouse and Sabarmati Railway Station 9 July 2017

On 19 October 2014, Union Cabinet of India approved ₹10,773 crore (US$1.3 billion) for the Phase–1.[13] The Central Government approved the use of unused Western Railways land along the Botad-Sabarmati meter gauge line in November 2014.[14] The original plan of Metro along Ashram Road was tweaked and the track was moved westward. The new plan added the cost of ₹600 crore (US$72 million) and two more stations. The new plan helped by causing fewer problems in land acquisition and less congestion on Ashram Road. In 2015 budget of Gujarat, ₹611 crore (US$73 million) was further allocated for the metro. The ground breaking ceremony was held on 14 March 2015 for the construction of 6.5 km (4.039 mi) long Vastral – Apparel Park stretch of East–West corridor in presence of then Gujarat Chief Minister, Anandiben Patel. The ground-breaking ceremony for North-South Corridor was held on 17 January 2016 in presence of the then Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel. The work started in March 2016.[15][16][17][18] The Indian Railways permitted the construction of North–South corridor stretch on its land in June 2016.[19] Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) agreed to fund ₹5,968 crore (US$720 million) for Phase-1 of the project in November 2015 and the first tranche of ₹4,456 crore (US$530 million) was released in 2016.[20]

The trial runs were carried out in February 2019 on 6.5 km (4.039 mi) long Vastral – Apparel Park section of Phase-1.[21][22] The section was inaugurated on 4 March 2019 by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.[23][24] It opened to the public on 6 March 2019.[25] The 1.4 km (0.870 mi)-long Thaltej-Thaltej Gam section and three metro stations (Kankaria East, Thaltej Gam and Sabarmati) will be completed by December 2023.[26][27][28][29] The rest of the Phase-1 was inaugurated on 30 September 2022 by Prime Minister Modi.[30] The east–west corridor and the north–south corridor were opened to public on 2 October 2022 and 6 October 2022 respectively.[31] The cost of Phase-1 construction was ₹12,900 crore (US$1.5 billion).[30] The Kankaria East station was opened on 5 March 2024.[32]

Phase-2

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The Government of Gujarat approved the Phase-2 in October 2017 and revised it in October 2018. In February 2019, the Union cabinet approved the Phase-2 worth cost of ₹5,384.17 crore (US$650 million). It will extend the north–south corridor from Motera in Ahmedabad to Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar (23.838 km (14.812 mi)) with a branch line from Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) linking Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU) and GIFT City (5.416 km (3.365 mi)). The Phase-2 will have total 28.26 km (17.560 mi)-long elevated corridor with 22 stations.[33][34][24]

The tendering for the Phase-2 began in January 2020. On 18 January 2021, the foundation stone of the Phase-2 was laid by Prime Minister Modi.[35]

In February 2023, Titagarh Rail Systems won a contract worth ₹350 crore (US$42 million) for providing rolling stock for the Phase-2.[36][37]

The trial run of Phase-2 started in February 2024 between GNLU and Dholakuva Circle stations.[38][39] The extended line connecting Sector 1 station of Gandhinagar with the main line and the branch line along with eight new stations were inaugurated on 16 September 2024 by Prime Minister Modi.[40][41]

Network

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Phase 1
No. Line Name Terminals Stations Distance (km) Opening Date
1 Blue Line Thaltej Gam Thaltej 1 18 1.4 21.16 Under construction
Thaltej Apparel Park 11 13.26 30 September 2022
Apparel Park Vastral Gam 6 6.5 4 March 2019
2 Red Line Main Line Motera Stadium APMC 14 18.87 30 September 2022
32 40.03 km (24.87 mi)
Phase 2
No. Line Name Terminals Stations Distance (km) Opening Date
1 Red Line Extension Line Mahatma Mandir Sector-1 7 7.44 km Under construction
Sector-1 Motera Stadium 14 15.40 km 16 September 2024
Branch Line GNLU GIFT City 3 5.42 km 16 September 2024
24 28.26 km (17.56 mi)

Current status

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Map of operational network
Main article: List of Ahmedabad Metro stations
Ahmedabad Metro
Line Name First Operational Last Extension Stations Length Terminal Stations Rolling Stock Track Gauge (mm) Electrification End to end travel time
Blue Line 4 March 2019 30 September 2022 17 19.76 km (12.28 mi) Thaltej Vastral Gam Hyundai Rotem Standard Gauge (1,435 mm) 750V DC Third Rail 39 min[2]
Red Line 30 September 2022 16 September 2024 19 34.27 km (21.29 mi) Sector-1 APMC 67 min[2]
Total 36 44.03 km


Operations

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Nirant Cross Road metro station

The metro started commercial operations in March 2019. Over 7.1 lakh people had travelled by metro till June 2022 but the monthly ridership had never exceeded 38,137 which is the highest ridership registered in March 2019 due to short length of the opened corridor then. The most riders were identified as those taking joyrides.[28]

Following opening of the Phase-1 in September 2022, the ridership increased significantly. In one year from October 2022 to 28 September 2023, more than 18,636,388 people travelled via metro with average daily ridership of 90,000 on normal days and 75,000 on holidays; averaging 51,000 riders a day. It earned ₹28 crore (US$3.4 million) from tickets in the same period.[2]

Yearly ridership[28]
Year Ridership
2018–19 (only March)
38,137
2019–20
284,934
2020–21
46,570
2021–22
241,694
2022–23
119,722
April2023-Mar24
29,346,000

Construction

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Construction contracts

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Sl No. Contract Contractor
1 General Consultancy Systra-RITES-Oriental-AECOM JV
2 96 coaches (Rolling stock) Hyundai Rotem
3 Signalling System Nippon Signal Co. Ltd, Japan
4 Apparel Park Depot URC Construction
5 Gyaspur Depot Gannon Dunkerly - PSPO JV
6 Vastral Gam - Apparel Park (Viaduct - 6 km) J Kumar Infraprojects
7 Vastral Gam - Apparel Park (6 Stations) DRA - CICO JV
8 East Ramp - Kalupur (Tunnels & 2 Stations - 2.45 km) Afcons Infrastructure
9 Kalupur - West Ramp (Tunnels & 2 Stations - 4.38 km) Larsen & Toubro
10 Thaltej Gam - West Ramp (Viaduct & 7 Stations - 8.21 km) Tata Projects - CRCC JV
11 Gyspur - Shreyas (Viaduct & 4 Stations - 4.62 km)
12 Shreyas - Ranip (Viaduct & 6 Stations -8.94 km) Simplex Infrastructure
13 Motera - Ranip (Viaduct - 4.85 km) Ranjit Buildcon
14 Motera - Ranip (5 Stations) Pratibha - Ranjit JV
15 Shreyas to Ranip

(Viaduct & 6 stations – 8.94 km)

Simplex Infrastructure
16 Kalupur to West Ramp

(Tunnels & 2 stations – 4.38 km)

Larsen & Toubro
17 Thaltej Gam to West Ramp

(Viaduct, Sabarmati Bridge & 7 stations – 8.21 km)

Tata – CCECC JV
18 Electrification Siemens India - Siemens AG, Germany
19 Automatic Fare Collection System Nippon Signal Co. Ltd, Japan

Controversy

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Near Thaltej Gam on western side, 300-odd shop owners opposed the land acquisition while the officials said that there is need of huge land for depot and parking for the project.[42] The land acquisition is also opposed by the residents and shop owners of Jivraj Park in Vejalpur area. They had filed a case in Gujarat High Court.[43][44] They settled the case in September 2017.[45] Former IAS officer and executive chairman of project Sanjay Gupta and seven of his subordinate officers were accused while two of them were arrested in May 2015 for alleged committed fraud of ₹113 crore (US$14 million) in procurement and use of ground filling materials for the project in 2012. Another case regarding procurement of 603 tons of TMT steel worth ₹2.62 crore (US$310,000) which was never delivered is also being investigated.[46][47][48][49]

The Comptroller and Auditor General has pointed out wasteful expenditure of ₹373.62 crore (US$45 million) on earlier unapproved corridors.[50]

Network map

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Ahmedabad Metro Phase 2 gets Modi Cabinet clearance ahead of Phase 1 inauguration on March 4". 21 February 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e DeshGujarat (29 September 2023). "Ahmedabad Metro Rail completes one year; Average upto 90,000 daily passengers riding it". DeshGujarat. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  3. ^ "Contact Us – MEGA". gujaratmetrorail.com. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  4. ^ "MEGA Map 2014". MEGA. Archived from the original on 25 July 2015. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  5. ^ "Ahmedabad launches metro train tender". IRJ. 1 February 2014.
  6. ^ "Ahmedabad Metro - Information, Route Maps, Fares, Tenders & Updates". The Metro Rail Guy. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  7. ^ "Ahmedabad Metro Route Map, Station List, Progress and Latest Updates - Infra Info Hub". 6 June 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  8. ^ "From 2015, ride Metro from Ahmedabad to Gandhinagar". dna. 29 September 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  9. ^ "Ahmedabad metro rail project put on fast track". Business Standard. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
  10. ^ John, Paul (24 October 2009). "Metro rail project holds huge potential for realty biz: DMRC". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  11. ^ John, Paul (11 June 2009). "Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar Metro project: Is there light at the end of Metro tunnel?". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  12. ^ "New firm to speed up Metro in Ahmedabad". Daily News and Analysis. 2 May 2009. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
  13. ^ a b "Ahemedabad Metro project gets green signal". The Times of India. 17 October 2014. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  14. ^ India (5 November 2014). "Modi government clears Railway land for Ahmedabad metro project". The Indian Express. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  15. ^ Avinash Nair (5 February 2015). "Mumbai-based firm wins bid for Ahmedabad metro construction". The Indian Express. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  16. ^ DeshGujarat (14 March 2015). "First 6 km works of Ahmedabad Metro to complete by September 2016:CM". DeshGujarat. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  17. ^ "IL&FS; Engineering Services Bags Rs. 374.64 Cr Metro Rail Contract in Gujarat". The Hans India. 15 December 2015. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  18. ^ DeshGujarat (22 October 2014). "MEGA invites tender for Vastral-Apparel Park stretch of Ahmedabad METRO Rail project". DeshGujarat. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  19. ^ "Railways green-lights north-south Metro work in Ahmedabad". The Times of India. 11 June 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  20. ^ "Ahmedabad Metro Phase 1 gets ₹5,968-crore Japanese funding". Business Line. 27 November 2015. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  21. ^ "Rs 3,116 cr spent on Ahmedabad Metro so far". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  22. ^ "Now, Metro trial run will be held by February 18". The Times of India. 16 January 2019. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  23. ^ "PM Narendra Modi inaugurates Ahmedabad Metro first phase, takes a ride". Mint. 4 March 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  24. ^ a b "Ahmedabad Metro Phase 2 gets Modi Cabinet clearance ahead of Phase 1 inauguration on 4 March". The Financial Express. 21 February 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  25. ^ "Ahmedabad Metro to open for public on Wednesday". The Times of India. 5 March 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  26. ^ "3 new metro stations in Ahmedabad likely to open later this year". DeshGujarat. 28 April 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  27. ^ "Ten firms bid for last section of Phase-2 of Ahmedabad Metro". The Indian Express. 15 May 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  28. ^ a b c "Chugging in, clearing hurdles: Prime Minister to inaugurate Phase I of Ahmedabad Metro in August this year". The Indian Express. 11 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  29. ^ "Ahmedabad Metro receives CMRS clearance". The Indian Express. 17 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  30. ^ a b "PM Modi to launch Ahmedabad Metro Phase 1, flag off Vande Bharat Express during two-day Gujarat visit". 28 September 2022.
  31. ^ "મેટ્રો ટ્રેનની સવારી: અમદાવાદમાં થલતેજ-વસ્ત્રાલ મેટ્રો ગાંધી જયંતીથી, એપીએમસી-મોટેરા 6 ઓક્ટોબરથી શરૂ થશે". Divya Bhaskar (in Gujarati). 30 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  32. ^ "Ahmedabad Metro: Kankaria East Station Opens For Public Use From Today". News18. 5 March 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  33. ^ "Gujarat nod for Rs 6,758crore Metro Phase II". The Times of India. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  34. ^ Nair, Avinash (20 October 2018). "Ahmedabad Metro Rail: After Centre objects, Metro rail link to GIFT City shortened by 6 km". The Indian Express. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  35. ^ "'Very important gifts for Ahmedabad, Surat': PM Modi launches metro rail projects in Gujarat". www.timesnownews.com. 18 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  36. ^ "Titagarh Rail Systems wins ₹3.5 bn contract for Ahmedabad Metro". Construction World. 15 February 2023.
  37. ^ "Ahmedabad Metro Phase 2: Titagarh Rail Systems awarded Rs 350-cr contract for 10 trains". The Indian Express. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  38. ^ "Ahmedabad Metro Phase II trial run likely in June". Times of India. 20 April 2023.
  39. ^ "A'bad-G'nagar Metro phase-2 trial run starts". Ahmedabad Mirror. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  40. ^ "PM Modi Flags Off Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar Metro Phase-II, Takes Rail Ride". News18. 16 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  41. ^ "PM Modi inaugurates 2nd phase of Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project". India Today. 16 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  42. ^ "Tenders issued for Metro construction - TOI Mobile". The Times of India Mobile Site. 30 January 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  43. ^ "Ahmedabad metro project: MEGA offers relocation option to residents". ETRealty.com. 23 March 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  44. ^ "Metro rail project: Residents of Vejalpur junk relocation offer". The Indian Express. 30 March 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  45. ^ "Metro project clears hurdle in land acquisition". The Times of India. 3 September 2017. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  46. ^ "Ahmedabad metro: Top officer held for 'fraud'". The Indian Express. 15 May 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  47. ^ "Executive chairman of Metrolink Express for Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad seeks ban on media coverage". The Times of India. 20 May 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  48. ^ "Former IAS officer involved in Ahmedabad metro scam released on bail". The Indian Express. 8 December 2015. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  49. ^ "Metro rail scam: Ex-IAS officer Sanjay Gupta gets bail". The Times of India. 5 April 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  50. ^ "CAG finds ₹373-cr 'infructuous spend' in Ahmedabad Metro". Business Line. 1 April 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
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