PM Modi likely to open Ahmedabad Metro service on Sept 30

Wednesday 21st September 2022 07:20 EDT
 

The Phase-I of the Metro service in Ahmedabad is finally ready to begin operations as the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) has given the final approval. The project is likely to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 30.

Modi is already scheduled to flag off the Vande Bharat train on September 30 from Gandhinagar. Sources said that Modi is likely to flag off the Metro service on the same day before the Vande Bharat train departs.

He will address a gathering on the Ahmedabad Education Society ground. He is likely to take a short ride in the Metro before addressing the gathering. However, officials in Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) said that they are awaiting a nod from the Centre.

The Metro service for Ahmedabad was envisaged in 2004 and 18 years on, the project will be operational. However, GMRC officials said that work on the 1km stretch from Thaltej to Thaltej Gam is still underway. Also, Kankaria East, Sabarmati and Thaltej Gam stations will not be ready when the Metro is inaugurated. The CMRS gave the final approval for the 32.5 km North-South (Vastral to Motera) and East-West (Thaltej to Apparel Park) corridors.

The 6.5 km stretch from Vastral to Apparel Park had been operational since 2019. Phase-I is to be further connected by Phase II to Mahatma Mandir and GIFT City from Motera.

The officials said that of the 32 stations, 29 will be operational for now. The first underground station at Vastral will take longer to welcome passengers. The officials said that the delay in acquiring land in Thaltej forced them to extend the scope to Vastral Gam, adding, several litigations led to a delay in completing the project from Thaltej to Thaltej Gam.


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