AHMEDABAD (Metro Rail News): The Union Cabinet has approved a 3.33 km extension of the Ahmedabad Metro’s North-South corridor, linking GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City) in Gandhinagar to Shahpur, at an estimated cost of ₹1,067.35 crore. The project, to be implemented by Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (GMRC), is scheduled for completion within four years.
The approved extension will comprise three elevated stations and is designed to provide seamless metro connectivity to one of India’s most strategically significant financial and technology districts. GIFT City hosts a growing cluster of multinational financial institutions, global technology companies, educational institutions, and commercial establishments, all of which currently lack dedicated metro rail access.
Project Details and Ridership Projections
The 3.33 km elevated corridor will extend the existing North-South line, bridging GIFT City with the broader Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar metro network. According to official projections, the extension is expected to serve approximately 23,702 daily passengers by 2029, rising sharply to over 58,000 daily passengers by 2041 as GIFT City’s commercial ecosystem matures. These ridership figures reflect the rapid growth anticipated in the GIFT City Special Economic Zone, which is being developed as India’s first operational greenfield smart city and international financial services hub.
Economic and Employment Impact
Beyond passenger convenience, the Cabinet approval carries significant economic weight. The project is projected to generate approximately 1,000 direct construction jobs during the execution phase and 250 permanent operational positions once services commence. The connectivity boost is expected to accelerate commuter access for professionals working at multinational firms and financial institutions within GIFT City, reducing dependence on road transport and easing congestion on the Gandhinagar-Ahmedabad corridor.
Next Steps
With Cabinet approval now secured, GMRC will move forward with detailed design, land acquisition, and tendering processes for civil and systems contracts. The four-year implementation timeline places projected commissioning around 2029-30, aligning with the ridership baseline year cited in the DPR. The Ahmedabad Metro network, which has seen steady ridership growth since the inauguration of its initial phases, will receive a significant strategic addition that directly serves India’s ambitions for GIFT City as a global financial centre.
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