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The inauguration of the second phase of the Ahmedabad Metro Rail, scheduled for September 16, 2024, marks a significant milestone in the city's infrastructure development and is particularly symbolic as it coincides with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday, celebrated on September 17. This new phase, connecting 21 km between the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Motera and Gandhinagar Sector 1 over eight stations, with a branch route to GIFT City in Gandhinagar, promises to improve connectivity and enhance the overall travel experience for citizens.
The first phase of the Ahmedabad Metro, inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi in September 2022, encompasses a 33.5-km north-south corridor, offering a travel time of 65 minutes at a fare of Rs 35. This second phase will further integrate Ahmedabad with the education district in South Gandhinagar, housing institutions like the Gujarat National Law University, Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology, and the National Institute of Design’s Gandhinagar campus. However, the area’s connectivity to the Ahmedabad airport via the Metro remains pending.
With the inauguration of this new phase, the Ahmedabad Metro Rail network will expand to 68 km across two lines – the north-south corridor and the east-west corridor, with 54 stations, including four underground stations. The second phase has been constructed at a cost of Rs 5,384 crore and is part of a larger, ambitious plan to create an integrated Metro system serving the state for decades to come. The project is a joint venture between the Gujarat government and the Central government, executed by the Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (GMRCL).
The inauguration of this phase is particularly noteworthy due to the concentration of three of Prime Minister Modi's key projects in the Sabarmati-Motera region. The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave, which includes the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium, is a potential site for hosting the Summer Olympics 2036, a bid India is actively pursuing. Directly opposite the stadium, the Sabarmati Bullet Train Station and the Sabarmati Multimodal Transport Hub, the terminus of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Corridor, are nearing completion. This multimodal hub seamlessly connects with the Metro and the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) stations, providing convenient transportation options for commuters. Located further north on the banks of the Sabarmati River, the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) sprawls across a vast campus.
The Ahmedabad Metro has already demonstrated its utility, particularly for transportation to the 140,000-capacity Motera stadium during cricket matches. GMRCL reports that its first phase route recorded 3.17 million passenger journeys in August 2024, translating to 105,000 journeys daily. However, despite its potential, the Metro system faces challenges. Former Gujarat minister Jay Narayan Vyas, now with the Congress, criticizes the lack of last-mile connectivity and inadequate parking facilities around Metro stations. He argues that the inconvenience outweighs the convenience, although these issues are expected to be addressed in phases.
Besides the Metro inauguration, Prime Minister Modi will also unveil the first-ever Vande Metro Train, which will operate between Ahmedabad and Bhuj. The Vande Metro, a new initiative of the Indian Railways, aims to facilitate quick, short-distance intercity travel with a top speed of 130 kmph. These initiatives demonstrate the government's commitment to enhance transportation infrastructure and provide convenient, modern travel options for citizens.
Source: Ahmedabad Metro phase 2 launch set to be icing on PM Modi's birthday cake