An Overview of Ahmedabad Metro’s Development and Expansion

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Ahmedabad Metro

Ahmedabad: Where Heritage Meets Modernity 

Ahmedabad city is situated near the banks of the Sabarmati River and lies approximately 25 kilometres from Gandhinagar, the capital of Gujarat. The city is famous for its rich cultural heritage and historical significance, blending tradition with modernity. Ahmedabad city was founded in 1411 A.D. by Sultan Ahmed Shah, who named it after himself.

Historically known as the “Manchester of India,” Ahmedabad has been home to textile industries that have contributed to its economy. The city was the capital of Gujarat from 1960 to 1970, after which Gandhinagar became the state capital.

Ahmedabad is the fifth most populous city in India and the largest city in Gujarat, with an estimated population of 8.85 million. However, the city’s transport infrastructure struggled to keep pace with rapid urbanisation and the growing number of commuters. This created an urgent need for an efficient and reliable transport system to meet the demands of its residents. The Ahmedabad Metro system was introduced as a viable solution to address these challenges and improve urban mobility.

Ahmedabad Metro

Historical Background Of Ahmedabad Metro

2003 (Initial Study): Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board conducted a study for urban transport between Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad.

June 2005 (DPR Approval): Detailed Project Report (DPR) prepared by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and RITES was submitted and approved by the Central Government.

2005 (Project on Hold): Due to its viability and substantial cost of ₹4,295 crore the project was put on hold to prioritise Ahmedabad BRTS and Suburban railway projects.

2008: The project was revived, and new corridors were designed to assess its feasibility.

4 February 2010: The Government of Gujarat established a special purpose vehicle (SPV), Metro Link Express for Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad Company Ltd, with an initial allocation of ₹202 crore.

2014: The Central Government decided to take a 50% ownership stake in the SPV.

2018: The SPV was renamed Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Limited (GMRC).

Ahmedabad Metro Red Line 26

Glance At Ahmedabad Metro 

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Overview

Ahmedabad Metro is an Urban Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS). The project was previously known as ‘Metro-Link Express for Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad’ (MEGA). The Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) Limited is responsible for the execution of the Ahmedabad Metro. 

Phase 1, which spans 39.26 km became fully operational on 8 December 2024. 

Phase 2, includes the extension of the existing line and one new corridor, currently out of 28.254 km the 20.8 km is operational while the remaining 7.45 km is under construction. 

The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurating the Ahmedabad Metro in Ahmedabad Gujarat on September 30 2022
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Key Specification 

Authorized Authority Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) Limited. 
Speed and Track 
Top Speed: 80 kmphAverage Speed: 33 kmphTrack Gauge: Standard Gauge – 1435 mm 
Electrification750 V DC Third Rail
Signalling Communication-based Train Control (CBTC)
Daily Ridership 90,000/day (March 2023)
Rolling Stock Phase 1: 96 coaches (32 train sets x 3) supplied by Hyundai RotemPhase 2:  30 Coaches ( 10 train sets x 3)  will be supplied by Titagarh 

Routes of Ahmedabad Metro 

Operational: 60.06 km 
Under Construction: 7.45 km 

Phase 1 

Overview 

In February 2014, The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) prepared the DPR of Phase 1.  The central government approved 39.26 km long Phase 1 of Ahmedabad Metro with 2 corridors on 18 October 2014. The entire Phase 1 project has been constructed at a cost of more than ₹12,900 crores. 

  • 14 March 2015: Construction commenced on the 6.5 km (4.039 mi) long Vastral – Apparel Park stretch of the East-West Corridor.
  • March 2016: Construction work for the North-South Corridor officially commenced.
  • June 2016: Indian Railways granted permission for the construction of the North-South Corridor on its land.
  • November 2015: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) agreed to provide funding of ₹5,968 crore (US$720 million) for Phase 1 of the project.
  • 2016: The first tranche of ₹4,456 crore (US$530 million) was released by JICA.
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Phase 1 Corridors 

Line-1 (East-West Corridor /  Blue Line): Vastral Gam – Thaltej Gam

  • Length: 20.737 km
  • Type: Elevated & Underground (6.83 km between Apparel Park and Sabarmati River)
  • Depot: Apparel Park
  • Number of Stations: 18
  • Status: Operational 
  • Stations Names: Thaltej Gam, Thaltej, Doordarshan Kendra, Gurukul Road, Gujarat University, Commerce Six Roads, Stadium, Old High Court Interchange, Shahpur, Gheekanta, Kalupur Railway Station, Kankaria East, Apparel Park (Depot), Amraiwadi, Rabari Colony, Vastral, Nirant Cross Roads, Vastral Gam

Line-2 (North-South Corridor / Red Line): Motera – APMC

  • Length: 18.522 km
  • Type: Elevated
  • Depot: Gyaspur
  • Number of Stations: 15
  • Status: Operational
  • Station Names: Motera Stadium, Sabarmati, AEC, Sabarmati Railway Station, Ranip, Vadaj, Vijay Nagar, Usmanpura, Old High Court Interchange, Gandhigram, Paldi, Shreyas, Rajiv Nagar, Jivraj Park, APMC

Phase 1 Timeline   

DateSection Distance Line 
6 March 2019Vastral – Apparel Park6 kmBlue Line
30 September 2022Apparel Park – Thaltej 13.34 kmBlue Line
30 September 2022APMC – Motera18.52 kmRed Line
08 December 2024Thaltej – Thaltej Gam 1.4 kmBlue Line

Major Contractors Involved in Phase 1 

Contract Contractor 
General Consultant (GC) Service for Ahmedabad Metro Phase 1 SYSTRA – RITES – Oriental – AECOM JV
Supply and manufacture of 96 Coach Rolling Stock for Phase 1 Hyundai Rotem
design, supply, install, test and commission ballastless tracks for Ahmedabad Metro’s Phase 1 project.Larsen & Toubro
Signalling and Train Control Systems Nippon Signal
Telecommunication System for Phase 1 of Ahmedabad Metro Larsen & Toubro
Power Supply Receiving & Distribution System, 750 V DC Third Rail Traction Electrification and SCADA SystemSiemens Ltd. (India) – Siemens AG (Germany) JV
Construction of 6 km viaduct between Vastral Gam and apparel ParkJ Kumar Infraprojects
Construction of 6 stations from Vastral Gam to  Apparel ParkDRA – CICO JV
Construction of 4.62 km viaduct and 4 stations between Gyaspur Depot and ShreyasIL&FS Engineering
Construction of 4.85 km viaduct from Motera to  RanipRanjit Buildcon
Construction of 5 stations between Motera   and RanipPratibha – Ranjit JV
Construction of 8.94 km viaduct and 6 stations between Shreyas and  RanipSimplex Infrastructure
Construction of 2.45 km tunnel and 2 stations between East Ramp and  KalupurAfcons Infrastructure
Construction of 4.38 km tunnels and 2 stations between Kalupur and West RampLarsen & Toubro
Thaltej Gam to West Ramp(Viaduct, Sabarmati Bridge  &7 stations – 8.21 km)Tata – CCECC JV
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Phase 2 

Overview 

On 19 February 2019, the Central Government of India approved the Phase 2 expansion of the Ahmedabad Metro project. This phase spans a total length of 28.254 kilometres and features the creation of a new corridor and the extension of the existing Red Line. The estimated cost of Phase 2 is Rs. 5384.17 crores.

  • February 2016: The Gujarat state government allocated ₹2 crore in its 2016-17 state budget for the preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Phase 2. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) was appointed to draft the DPR.
  • 19 February 2019: The Central Government Cabinet approved Phase 2.

Operational Route of Phase 2

Line-2 (North-South / Red Line): Motera Stadium – Gandhinagar Sector-1

  • Length: 15.4 km
  • Type: Elevated
  • Number of Stations: 6
  • Station Names: GNLU, Raysan, Randesan, Dholakuva Circle, Infocity, Sector-1

Line-3 (Eastern Spur): Gujarat National Law University – Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GNLU – GIFT City)

  • Length: 5.416 km
  • Type: Elevated
  • Number of Stations: 3
  • Stations Names: Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University (PDPU) and Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City)
Recent Update:
 Trial Runs 
In February 2024, Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) initiated the trials on Ahmedabad Metro Phase 2’s 3.3 km elevated section between Dholakuva and Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) in Gandhinagar District.
On 11 March 2024. Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) began the trial runs on Line 3 of Ahmedabad Metro Phase 2 spanning  5.416 km from (GNLU – GIFT City). AD 4nXfGEa5DM8L5s2MJwTNUsIcWq5p4cWG594j5n4qP9PYhlP06GlqDHEgYpdSwfKrO UuB TX cS 7oLBzNTyFUxzhpnKFareIAvsrtfZ4kuN7h1r4GGWbZBZHypiy 9EWXT j3VuKCbxvsAq15savw?key=0IvRDbjP2 2fqoWisqOOuc0gInauguration
Mr Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, inaugurated the Ahmedabad Metro’s Red Line extension from Motera Stadium to Gandhinagar Sector-1 and Line 3 of Phase 2 on 16 September 2024. 
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Under Construction Route in Phase 2

Line-2 (North-South / Red Line): Gandhinagar Sector-1 – Mahatma Mandir

  • Length: 7.45 km
  • Type: Elevated
  • Depot: Indroda (construction hasn’t started)
  • Number of Stations: 14
  • Station Names: Koteshwar Road, Vishwakarma College, Tapovan Circle, Narmada Canal, Koba Circle, Juna Koba, Koba Gam, Sector-10A, Sachivalaya, Akshardham, Juna Sachivalaya, Sector-16, Sector-24 and Mahatma Mandir

Timeline of Phase 2 

Date Section Length Line 
16 September 2024 Motera Stadium – Gandhinagar Sector-115.4 kmRed Line 
16 September 2024 GNLU-GIFT City 5.416 kmLine 3 

Major Contractors Involved in Phase 2 

Contracts Contractors  
Civil Package C1: Viaduct from Motera to GNLU (8.124 km) and GNLU to GIFT City (5.420 km) with 10 stationsAfcons Infrastructure
Civil Package C2: Viaduct from GNLU to Gandhinagar Sector-1 (6.478 km) with 5 stationsRanjit Buildcon
Civil Package C3: Viaduct from Sector-1 to Mahatma Mandir with 7 stationsDilip Buildcon (DBL)
Rolling Stock Package RS3: 30 Coaches for Ahmedabad Metro Phase 2 Titagarh Wagons
Signalling Package SIG-03: Communications-based train control (CBTC) for Phase 2 Nippon Signal – Nippon Signal India JV
“Design, Manufacture, Supply, Installation, Testing and Commissioning of Telecommunication System for Ahmedabad Metro Phase 2 Larsen & Toubro Limited
Electrification Package EP2: 750 V DC Third Rail for Phase 2 Siemens – RVNL JV

Recent Developments

Rolling Stock Design for Phase 2
On 7 October 2024, Titagarh Rail Systems revealed the design of 10 new train sets for Phase 2 Ahmedabad Metro project under rolling stock Package RS3. These train sets will feature GoA4 grade automation, enabling fully driverless operations in Unattended Train Operations (UTO) mode.
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Ridership Trend of Ahmedabad Metro

Yearly Ridership

Year Ridership
March 201938,137
2019-20284,934
2020-2146,570
2021-22241,694
2022-23 June1,19,722
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During the fiscal year 2022-23, the revenue generated from Ahmedabad Metro operations increased to ₹1,174.38 lakh, compared to just ₹21.86 lakh in the previous year. This growth was highlighted in the 13th annual report of Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) Limited

On May 14, 2024, the Ahmedabad Metro crossed the landmark of 100,000 daily passengers for the first time since the inauguration of Phase 1 in September 2022. On that day, 100,830 passengers used the service, and on May 16, the number reached 100,893 on a regular weekday.

Challenges Associated with Ahmedabad Metro 

  1. Low Fare Revenue: In the financial year 2022-23, Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) reported a loss of ₹321 crore, an improvement compared to a ₹465 crore loss in the previous year, 2021-22. On average, GMRC incurred a daily loss of ₹87 lakh in 2022-23. However, with the opening of new metro routes and an increasing number of passengers, it is expected that the financial performance will improve, and the losses will continue to reduce in the coming years.
  1. Traffic Congestion Along Metro Corridor: The study conducted by Toral Vyas from the Department of Civil Engineering at Gujarat Technological University (GTU), between 2018 and 2023, analysed traffic movement along the Stadium-Thaltej stretch. Key findings include:
  • Two-Wheelers: Two-wheelers made up 52% to 78% of the traffic in the area.
  • Traffic During Construction: During the construction of the metro corridor, the Gurukul-Sunrise Park stretch recorded about 3,113 passenger car units (PCUs) per hour.
  • Traffic After Construction: After construction, the Gurukul-Sunrise Park stretch saw an increase to 4,250 PCUs per hour, while the Stadium to Commerce Crossroads stretch recorded 1,700 PCUs per hour.
  • Slowest Link: The Gurukul-Helmet link recorded an average speed of 23.76 km/h after construction.
  1. Multi-Modal Integration:
  • One of the key challenges for the Ahmedabad Metro system is integrating with existing transportation networks, such as the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) and railway services. Addressing this challenge is important to encourage more commuters to use the metro.

Benefits of Ahmedabad Metro

  1. Economic Growth
  • The construction and operation of the metro have created numerous jobs, contributing to local economic development. Additionally, enhanced connectivity has increased property values near metro stations, attracting investment and boosting local businesses.
  1. Environmental Benefits
  • The Ahmedabad Metro will connect people within the city better, and as people choose to travel by the metro instead of personal vehicles, carbon emissions are expected to be reduced, and the air quality will improve. The reduced traffic congestion will further contribute to the environmental benefits.

Conclusion

Ahmedabad Metro is one step towards streamlining the city’s urban mobility. The metro, with its modern transportation system, is reducing congestion, improving connectivity, and offering a reliable mode of transport for the residents. Phase 1 of the project is already operational, and Phase 2 is under construction, with new corridors being built to increase the metro coverage. Despite facing financial challenges, the metro’s increasing ridership and ongoing construction reflect its growing role in the city’s transportation network. The Ahmedabad Metro plays an important role in the city’s infrastructure and its efforts to manage  urban growth.

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