Ahmedabad: The wait for many commuters in Ahmedabad is all set to end with the Ahmedabad Metro rail project likely to roll out before the financial year ends in 2018-19. As per the metro officials, work on 6km stretch starting from Vastral to Apparel Park is expected to be completed by the end of 2018. Additionally another stretch from APMC Vasna connecting Jivraj Park will be completed within 45 days.
It was in 2017 November that South Korean metro rolling stock manufacturer – Hyundai Rotem – was given the contract to supply 32 three-car trains for MEGA’s 39.26km Phase-1 project. The estimated cost for the coach is around 1,032 crore. The metro rail coaches will be made at the Changwon plant of the company and are expected to be delivered between April 2019 and July 2020.
IP Gautam, managing director, Metro-Link Express for Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad (MEGA) Company Ltd is looking to begin trail runs soon. To fasten up the process, MD has asked the South Korean company to deliver the coaches at the earliest. The company on the other had given assurance that the two of the three-car trains will arrive by January. In a meeting held on June 20 with the representatives of central government, the MD has asked to pre-pone the train deliveries in order to expedite the process so that metro officials can begin trail runs.
As per MEGA officials, each coach is of 3m wide and has the capacity to run at highest speed of 80 kmph, while carrying 782 passengers. These metro trains can run driverless and will have all necessary safety features including – LED route guide indicators, CCTV camera, passenger information display system and fire detectors.
As per Ahmedabad Metro officials, they want to complete the trail run and inaugurate the project before the Lok Sabha election. In order to meet this deadline they would want the coaches to deliver at the earliest. Metro officials are keen to increase the pace as they want the Ahmedabad Metro operational before election code of conduct is announced before the Loh Sabha election.
The total Phase-I project will possibly to be concluded by June 2020. Officials said the elevated corridor work has to be completed by end of 2019 and the underground tracks by June 2020.
Work on the 6Km underground rail route is going on in full swing with Tunnel boring machines (TBM) work going on at three locations in the city. The metro line will be on the Apparel Park and Kalupur metro line.
MEGA have assured that they will work in the Walled City area very cautiously. The officials are aware of the world heritage site on the route and are making all efforts to reduce the vibration owing to construction work. They have also chalked out a good traffic management plan to reduce inconvenience to the commuters.
