Overview of Gujarat metro rail project - MEGA

Introduction to Gujarat Metro Rail

Gujarat is one of the developed states of India. Gujarat is developing day by day with more projects and development plans. Gujarat Metro Rail is one the latest project undertaken by Gujarat Government whose approximate cost is around twelve crore. DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation) did the first technical and feasibility survey to implement the Metro Rail. The initial survey suggests the feasibility of an elevated route. The route will be underground for Nehru Bridge to Ahmedabad Junction. Larson and Toubro Ltd (L & T) has shown interest in this Metro Rail Project and submitted an initial proposal to GIDB (Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board) to express the interest in Gujarat Metro Rail Project. The Present Board of Directors and executive chairman is Shri Sanjay R P GUPTA

Need of Metro Rail in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad is one of the largest cities in India and Gujarat and has approximately 58 lacks of population. Ahmedabad is having the highest vehicle-to-person ratio and every day 411 vehicles get registered. To deal with this type of traffic, flyovers, BRTS and AMTS are not just sufficient. And this is the reason why Gujarat wants MRTS (Mass Rapid Transit System) so that Metro Rail can solve the transportation issue.

Metrolink Express for Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad (MEGA)

Metrolink Express for Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad is the first proposed metro rail project company. The project will be run on speedy execution with a total budget cost of Rs. 200 crore. In 2003, the first DPR (Detailed Preparation Report) for this metro rail system was initiated by GIDB with the help of DMRC and was submitted in the year 2005 and got approval from Central Government. As a part of development plans, a metro rail project was suggested and also planned to route between GIFT city and Ahmedabad International Airport (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport). The MEGA will connect APMC Vasna and Akshardham via Ashram Road, Koba Circle, Thaltej to Ahmedabad Junction, Sabarmati Riverfront and Delhi Darwaja.

Vision and Mission of MEGA

"To provide safe, fast and eco-friendly rail-based mass transit services to the public at affordable rates while simultaneously catalyzing dense and orderly urban growth." The metro rail project MEGA is committed and firmed to deliver the most cost-efficient metro service within the shortest time span/fast service.

Salient features of MEGA

• Elevated structure/route


• Ballast-less tracks


• Driveless air-conditioned coaches


• The rail tracking system, GPS based


• Train destination indicators

Details of the MEGA project

MEGA Company Ltd. was incorporated under the Companies Act, of 1956 by the Government of Gujarat to implement Metro Rail Project. The proposed length of the MEGA project is around 76 km with a 10 km underground route. The elevated route will consists of single, twin, triple and four-track viaducts having a minimum 5.5-metre vertical distance. The average distance between the station is estimated to be 1.2 km to 1.5 km and the total number of stations will be around 49-50. The track of the project will have a 1.676-metre track gauge. The mother deport will be at Indroda and another light inspection depot at Motera. The train headway consists of a peak of 5 mins (2016), and 1.5 mins in 2026 and 2041. The axle load will be 19.1 tonnes. Signalling and control for this Gujarat metro rail project will be done by Communication Based Train Control specifically designed for metro use.

Proposed Routes of Gujarat Metro Rail

The Metro Rail project will consist of Routes/LINES which suggest different routes.

Phase I Routes Line 1: Elevated Route and Underground Route

Elevated Route 1: APMC Vasana – Vasana – Paldi – Jamalpur Underground Route: Jamalpur – Gita Mandir - Kalupur – Civil Hospital – Vadaj

Elevated Route 2: Vadaj – Ranip – Sabarmati Railway Station- AEC - Sabarmati – Visat – IIT Gandhinagar – Tapovan Circle – Koba Circle – Kasturba Smarak – Koba Village – PDPU – Dholakuva – Police Bhavan (Gandhinagar) – Sachivalaya – Akshardham Line

2: Elevated Route and Underground Route Elevated Route: Vadaj – Navarang Six road – Vijay Cross road – Panjarapol – Parimal Garden – Paldi – Jamalpur – Danilimda – Chandola – Isanpur – Ghodasar – Hatkeshwar – Rakhiyal – Ajitmills – Bapunagar – Memco Sports Complex Underground Route: Memco Sports Complex to Civil Hospital

Extension of Phase I Route Line 3: Elevated Route AEC – Motera – Hansol – Sardar Vallabhbhai International Air Port Line 4: Elevated Route CH3 - Pathikhashram - Mahatma Mandir Line 5: Elevated Route Kasturba Smarak - GNLU - GIFT City