A Quick Tour to Surat
Surat, the diamond city of India is located in the state of Gujarat. The city is the administrative capital of the Surat district. Located on the Banks of the Tapi River near the Arabian Sea, the city is the economic and commercial centre of South Gujarat. Surat is also known as The Silk City”, and “The Green City”. Surat is a well-established diamond and textile industry and about 90% of the world’s diamonds are cut and polished in Surat. Surat is the second largest city in Gujarat after Ahmedabad. Surat is the eighth-largest city by population and the ninth-largest urban agglomeration in India.
As per a study conducted by the Economic Times, Surat will be the world’s fastest-growing city from 2019 to 2035. As of 2024, Surat’s population is estimated at 8,330,530. Over the decades, the Surat city started witnessing major population growth due to the flourishing textile and diamond industries. The rapidly growing population rate resulted in increasing the pollution level in the “Green City” due to industrial activities and vehicle emissions. To address all these issues together the city recognized a need for a public mode of transportation that is sustainable and reliable. In response to this, a metro system Surat Metro Rail Project was introduced for the city. Surat Metro is a major infrastructure initiative aimed at transforming urban mobility in Surat and resolving major issues like road congestion and the pollution rate of the city.
Surat Metro Rail Project: From Planning to Execution
February 2010: A special-purpose vehicle named Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) was established for the implementation of Metro Rail Projects in Gujarat.
August 2012: Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) approved Rs 1 crore to conduct a feasibility study for metro rail projects in Gujarat.
January 2016: Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) was awarded a contract to prepare the Detailed Project Report ( DPR) of Phase 1 of the Surat Metro Rail Project.
January 2017: The Gujarat state government approved the DPR of Surat Metro Phase 1 comprising 2 corridors.
March 2019: The Public Investment Board (PIB) approved the Surat Metro Rail project.
March 2019: The Government of India approved the Surat Metro project with a combined length of 40.35 km.
January 2021: Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Surat Metro Rail Project.
Surat Metro: A Modern Solution for City’s Transportation
Overview
Surat Metro is an under-construction mass rapid transit system (MRTS) spanning approximately 40.35 km. The Phase 1 of Surat Metro comprises 2 corridors and 37 stations in total.
| S.No. | Corridors | Underground (km) | Elevated/At Grade (km) | Total (km) |
| 1 | Sarthana-Dream City | 6.47 | 15.14 | 21.61 |
| 2 | Bhesan-Saroli | – | 18.74 | 18.74 |
| Total | 6.47 | 33.88 | 40.35 |
Phase 1 of the Surat Metro Rail Project is expected to become operational by December 2027.
Funding Mechanism of Phase 1
| S.No. | Source | Amount (Rs. in crores) | % Contribution |
| 1 | Equity by GoI | 1487.53 | 15.70% |
| 2 | Equity by GoG | 1487.53 | 15.70% |
| 3 | SD for Central Taxes by GoG (50%) | 407.71 | 4.30% |
| 4 | SD for Central Taxes by GoI (50%) | 407.71 | 4.30% |
| 5 | Loan from bilateral/multilateral agencies | 5434.25 | 57.35% |
| 6 | Upfront VCF and proceeds from Monetization | 250 | 2.65% |
| 7 | Total cost excluding Land, R&R, and PPP component | 9474.73 | 100.00% |
| 8 | Subordinate Debt for Land Including R&R cost by GoG | 1234 | |
| 9 | SD for State Taxes by GoG | 677.59 | |
| 10 | Sub Total | 11386.32 | |
| 11 | PPP component | 452 | |
| 12 | Sub Total | 11838.32 | |
| 13 | IDC for Loan | 182 | |
| 14 | Total completion cost | 12020.32 |
The Surat Metro Rail Project will be financed mainly through equity from the Government of India and Gujarat on a 50:50 basis and loans from KfW and AFD.
- Loan from KfW
On 17 December 2021, The Government of India and the Germany Development Bank – KFW (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau) signed a Rs 3,464 crore (442.26 million euros) loan for the Surat Metro Rail project.
- Loan from AFD
On 21 January 2021, India’s Finance Ministry and France’s Agence Française de Développement (AFD) signed an approximately Rs. 2205 crore (€ 250 million) loan for the Surat Metro Rail Project.
Key Specification
| Speed and Track | Top Speed: 80 kmphAverage Speed: 34 kmphTrack Gauge: Standard Gauge – 1435 mm |
| Electrification | 750 V DC Third Rail |
| Signaling | Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) |
| Estimated Project Cost | Rs.12,020.32 crore |
| Estimated Ridership | 2.20 lakh/day (2027) |
Contractor’s List
| Contracts | Contractors |
| Package DC02: Civil construction of Bhesan Depot & Workshop | Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) |
| Package CS1: Construction of 10 stations from Kadarsha Ni Nal to Dream City (11.6 km viaduct & 10 stations) | Sadbhav Engineering – SP Singla Construction JV subcontracted to Patel Infra |
| Package CS2 / UG-1: Construction from Kapodra Ramp to Surat Railway Station with 3 stations. (Kapodra, Labheshwar Chowk, and Central Warehouse) | Gulermak – Sam India Builtwell JV |
| Package CS3 / UG-2: Construction from Surat Railway Station to Chowk Bazar Ramp (Chowk Bazar, and Maskati Hospital and Surat Railway station | J Kumar Infraprojects |
| Package CS4: Construction from Kapodra North Ramp to Sarthana (4.15 km viaduct and 4 stations) | Ranjit Buildcon |
| Package CS5: Construction from Bhesan to Majura Gate Station including viaduct ramp to Bhesan Depot (10.559 km viaduct and 11 stations) | Ranjit Buildcon – Dilip Buildcon (RBL – DBL JV) |
| Package CS6: Construction from Majura Gate Station to Saroli (8.702 km viaduct & 7 stations) | Dilip Buildcon Ltd (DBL) |
| Rolling Stock: 72 Coaches | Titagarh Rail Systems |
| Track-work (Line-1): Ballastless and ballasted track for Line-1 | RVNL – ISC JV |
| Track-work (Line-2): Ballastless and ballasted track for Line-2 | Rahee Infratech |
Route Information
| Operational: 0 km Under Construction: 41.93 km Approved: 0 km |
Surat Metro Phase 1
Line-1: Sarthana – Dream City
- Length: 22.77 km
- Type: Elevated (15.75 km) & Underground (7.02 km)
- Depot: Dream City (system’s operations control center OCC to also be built here)
- Number of Stations: 20
- Station Names: Sarthana, Nature Park, Varaccha Chopati Garden, Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Kalakunj, Kapodra, Labheshwar Chowk, Central Warehouse, Surat Railway Station, Maskati Hospital, Chowk Bazar, Gandhi Baug, Kadarsha Ni Nal, Majura Gate (interchange), Rupali Canal, Althan Tenament, Althan Gam, VIP Road, Woman ITI, Bhimrad, Convention Center, Dream City.
| Update TBM Breakthrough In September 2024, TBM Tapi (S94) of Gulermak – Sam India Builtwell JV achieved a final breakthrough at Surat Railway Station of Line 1 under package CS2/ UG1. This was the sixth and final breakthrough for Package CS2/UG1. Furthermore, TBM Narmada working for the downline tunnel achieved its final breakthrough in August 2024.  |
Line-2: Bhesan – Saroli
- Length: 19.26 km
- Type: Elevated
- Depot: Bhesan
- Number of Stations: 18
- Station Names: Bhesan, Botanical Garden, Ugat Vaarigruh, Palanpur Road, LP Savani School, Performing Art Centre, Adajan Gam, Aquarium, Badri Narayan Temple, Athwa Chopati, Majura Gate (interchange), Udhna Dawaja, Kamela Darwaja, Anjana Farm, Model Town, Magob, Bharat Cancer Hospital, Saroli
Recent Updates on the Surat Metro Project
Overall Progress as of 31.01.2025:
| Work Item | Progress/Quantity |
| Overall Physical Progress | 57.96% |
| Soil Filling | Completed |
| Piles Installed | 118 Nos. |
| Pile Caps Constructed | 22 Nos. |
| Piers Constructed | 58 Nos. |
| Guide Wall Constructed | 188 m |
| Diaphragm Wall Constructed | 83 m |
| Slab for UG Stations | 4188 sq.m |
| Tunnel Rings Installed | 241 Nos. |
| Box Girder Segments Cast | 118 Nos. |
| Tunnel Segments Cast | 147 Nos. |
| Parapets Cast | 860 Nos. |
Impact of the Surat Metro Project
1. Enhanced Public Transportation & Ridership Growth: By the year 2046, it is projected that daily ridership will reach approximately 1.78 million passengers. The implementation of the metro system is expected to alleviate congestion on Surat’s heavily trafficked roadways, particularly in key business districts and residential areas.
2. Economic Boost & Urban Development: Surat is an economic hub of Gujarat, known for its textile and diamond industries. The metro will improve connectivity to business hubs. This will boost local commerce and encourage other businesses to set up along the corridor.
3. Multi-Modal integration: The Surat Metro project is designed to complement the Smart City initiative by incorporating principles of transit-oriented development (TOD). This Metro system will facilitate integration with the existing Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), municipal buses, and major railway stations. It will attract more commuters to opt for the metro.
Conclusion
The Surat Metro project is a crucial step that aims to improve urban mobility in the city and address the issues of congestion and growing transport demand. With an expected daily ridership of 1.78 million by 2046, the project is subjected to provide a structured public transit system, that will reduce dependency on private vehicles. The metro’s connectivity to key business districts, especially Surat’s textile and diamond industries, could enhance accessibility and economic activity along its corridors. Additionally, integration with BRTS, city buses, and railway stations is expected to improve multimodal transport efficiency. While the metro is a necessary infrastructure upgrade for Surat’s expanding population, its long-term impact will depend on effective execution, operational efficiency, and commuter adoption.
