Mon Sep 16 07:00:18 UTC 2024: ## Modi to Inaugurate Ahmedabad Metro’s Second Phase, Boosting Twin Cities’ Infrastructure
**Ahmedabad, September 15** – Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the second phase of the Ahmedabad Metro Rail on September 16, further bolstering the infrastructure of the twin cities of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. This phase will add 21 km of track, connecting the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Motera to Gandhinagar Sector 1, with a branch route extending to the GIFT City in Gandhinagar.
The inauguration comes a day before Modi’s birthday on September 17, which he typically celebrates with his family in Gandhinagar. The visit will also see him take stock of various infrastructure projects in his hometown and meet local BJP leaders, marking his first visit to the city since the Lok Sabha election results.
This second phase will link parts of Ahmedabad with the education district in South Gandhinagar, home to institutions like the Gujarat National Law University and the National Institute of Design’s Gandhinagar campus. The expansion will further enhance connectivity within the region, though direct connection to the Ahmedabad airport via Metro is still awaited.
The newly inaugurated phase, costing Rs 5,384 crore, will bring the total Ahmedabad Metro network to 68 km across two lines – north-south and east-west – with 54 stations, including four underground ones. The Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (GMRCL), a joint venture between the Gujarat government and the Centre, is spearheading the project.
The inauguration holds significant importance as it coincides with several other key infrastructure projects in the Sabarmati-Motera region. The area will host the Summer Olympics 2036, with the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium being part of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave.
The Sabarmati Bullet Train Station and the Sabarmati Multimodal Transport Hub, which connects the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Corridor, are nearing completion and will be linked directly to the Metro and BRTS stations. Further north, the GIFT City, located on the banks of the Sabarmati River, is another prominent project in the area.
The existing Metro line has already proven its efficacy, particularly for travel to the Motera stadium during cricket matches. The GMRCL reported 3.17 million passenger journeys on the first phase route in August 2024, translating to 105,000 daily journeys.
However, concerns remain regarding last-mile connectivity and parking facilities around Metro stations. Former Gujarat minister Jay Narayan Vyas points out the need for affordable and reliable transportation from Metro stations to homes and addresses the lack of adequate parking facilities.
In addition to the Metro inauguration, Modi will also launch the first Vande Metro train, connecting Ahmedabad and Bhuj. This new initiative by Indian Railways aims to facilitate quick short-distance intercity travel, with a maximum speed of 130 kmph.
These developments signify the fast-paced infrastructural growth in the twin cities, further cementing Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar’s position as a key economic and infrastructure hub in the region.
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