Guwahati Metro: A Multi-Phased Urban Mass Rapid Transit System to Curb Traffic Congestion

Overview

To alleviate the city’s worsening traffic congestion, the then Chief Minister of Assam, Mr Tarun Gogoi, convened a meeting with officials from the Guwahati Development Department and Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority in January 2013. Following thorough discussions, it was unanimously agreed that an urgent study was warranted to explore the feasibility of implementing a metro rail and bus rapid transit system in Guwahati. This initiative was further triggered by an article published in June 2012 in the Assamese daily ‘Dainik Agradoot’, which primarily investigated the potential of a metro rail system for Guwahati. The excerpts of the article fuelled and sparked the discussions regarding the need for a modern transport system in the city and also heightened the expectations among the city’s residents, who yearned for a solution to the ever-increasing traffic woes in the important city of the state.

The Assam government’s acknowledgement of the need for a robust public transportation system marked a significant step towards addressing Guwahati’s traffic challenges. The proposed metro rail and bus rapid transit systems promise to transform the city’s urban mobility landscape, providing commuters with efficient, reliable, and sustainable transportation options. A comprehensive survey was conducted to assess the feasibility of the proposed Guwahati Metro project. This included a detailed study of passenger traffic patterns across the city at different times of the day and a thorough cost estimation.

The survey also evaluated the viability of three track types: underground, over-ground, and elevated. Considering the relatively uncongested nature of the Khanapara – Jalukbari route, it was proposed that this section utilise a combination of overground and elevated tracks. A mix of underground and elevated tracks was deemed most suitable for the remaining routes. In June 2014, M/s RITES was awarded the contract to prepare a feasibility report and a detailed project report for the Guwahati Metro project. While preliminary studies suggested that elevated tracks would be the most cost-effective and tourism-friendly option, a more comprehensive assessment was necessary to determine the optimal track type for each section of the proposed metro network.

Project Details & Summary

The Guwahati Metro project envisions a comprehensive Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) spanning 61.40 kilometres and encompassing four lines with 54 stations across Guwahati, Assam. The project’s first phase, comprising a feasibility report and detailed project report (DPR), was prepared by RITES in January 2016. Following approval from Assam’s state government on February 26, 2016, Guwahati Metro Rail Corporation Limited (GMRCL) was established to oversee the project’s execution.

In January 2017, the newly formed state cabinet reviewed the project. It recommended modifications to the DPR, advocating for additional lines connecting Dharapur to Guwahati Airport and North Guwahati to AIIMS within Phase 1. As of March 2020, RITES has been entrusted with preparing a Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) and Alternate Analysis (AA) Report for Guwahati Metro. Upon approval of these reports, the Guwahati Metro’s DPR will undergo further modifications and be finalised accordingly.

Key Information & System Specifications

• Operational: 0 km
• Under Construction: 0 km
• Proposed: 61.4 km

Phase 1 Routes (Proposed)

Line 1: Dharapur – Narangi

• Length: 22.6 km
• Type: Elevated
• Number of Stations: Twenty-two (22)

Line 2: MG Road – Khanapara

• Length: 10 km
• Type: Underground
• Number of Stations: Ten (10)

Line 3: Jalukbari – Khanapara

• Length: 19.4 km
• Type: Elevated
• Number of Stations: Fourteen (14)

Line 4: ISBT – Paltan Bazar

• Length: 9.4 km
• Type: Elevated
• Number of Stations: Eight (8)

Conclusion

RITES completed the feasibility report for Guwahati MRTS in March 2015 for a total length of 203 km in three phases and a complete DPR (Phase-I) in January 2016 for 62.95 Km. The State Cabinet approved the DPR (Phase-I) for MRTS and SOSPV, namely Guwahati Metro Rail Corporation Limited (GMRCL), to execute the rail-based MRTS for Guwahati City on February 2, 2016.
DPR for Phase I was prepared for a total length of 61.4 km. Phase was proposed to have four corridors mentioned as follows:

Corridor-1: Dharapur– Narangi (Elevated) – 22.6 kms

Corridor-2: MG Road to Khanapara (underground) – 10.0 kms

Corridor-3: Jalukbari to Khanapara (elevated) – 19.4 kms

Corridor-4: 9.4 km: ISBT to Paltan Bazar (Elevated)

The Guwahati Mass Rapid Transport System (MRTS) is a rail-based transportation system that aims to provide a faster and more efficient mode of transportation in Guwahati city. The feasibility report for the MRTS was completed by RITES in March 2015 for a total corridor length of 203 km in three phases. The project’s first phase would have a total length of 61.4 km and four corridors. The State Cabinet approved the DPR (Phase-I) for MRTS on February 2, 2016, and the State-owned Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), Guwahati Metro Rail Corporation Limited, was established to carry forward the implementation of the rail-based MRTS for Guwahati City.

The DPR for Phase-I was prepared for a total length of 61.4 km and sent to the Union Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) in May 2016. The MoUD advised the State government to resubmit the proposal and an updated Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP). The State Cabinet suggested some changes in January 2017 and asked GMDA to recast the DPR (Phase-I) for Rail-based MRTS. The Government also instructed the GMDA to prepare the DPR for additional metro corridors from Dharapur to Guwahati Airport and Jalukbari to North Guwahati.

Later, the Government of India adopted the Metro Rail Policy 2017 and advised the states to submit MRTS proposals accordingly. Per the new policy, the project DPR required Alternative Analysis (AA). In the case of Guwahati, a CMP was also required. On approval of the Government of Assam, RITES was handed over the preparation work of the CMP and AA Report for Guwahati on a nomination basis, which is for the CMP at Rs 1.25 crores (excluding taxes) and AA reports at Rs 35.00 lakhs (excluding taxes). The timeline for CMP was four months, and the AA report was two months.

In December 2018, during a review meeting for the CMP’s inception report, the Principal Secretary of the Guwahati Development Department (GDD) asked RITES to assess whether a traffic impact study from the Assam State Capital Region Development Authority (ASCRDA) region should be included in the project’s scope. The ASCRDA region encompasses five districts and spans approximately 6,100 square kilometres. RITES indicated that incorporating the traffic impact study from the ASCRDA area would be feasible and could be completed within a reasonable timeframe. RITES completed the final CMP and AA report in 2018. However, the State government has not yet decided on the project’s next steps. It is crucial to note that metro projects demand substantial capital investments and must be justified based on various factors. The metro’s viability must be thoroughly evaluated from all perspectives, considering social benefits, financial feasibility, urban growth, commuting challenges, and other essential elements for seamless travel within the metro system.

Despite having nearly six years to initiate the project, the GDD Department has yet to do so, leaving the Guwahati metro rail project in limbo. Moreover, it is imperative to emphasise that once Guwahati’s population reaches 20 lakh, planning for the city’s metro system should commence, as implementing a metro system in a hilly and picturesque city like Guwahati will necessitate at least five to six years. However, despite the delays, there is no doubt that a metro system would benefit Guwahati, known as the ‘Gateway to North-East India’, as with a growing population, a metro system could help alleviate traffic congestion and improve commuting for residents.