Gandhinagar: The Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) has prepared a detailed project report (DPR) to build and operate another metro route connecting Koteshwar Road (Metro station next to Motera Stadium towards Gandhinagar route) to the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International(SVPI) Airport through the Sabarmati River. The DPR for this route has been approved by the State government.

The estimated cost of this four-kilometer route is around Rs. 1,800 crore. The proposal with DPR has been moved to the Centre, and the works, including design and tendering, will commence after approval from the central government.

The Chief General Manager of GMRC informed that interchange facilities for passengers will be available at the Koteshwar Road-based metro station, where passengers will be able to choose whether they want to travel towards Gandhinagar/Ahmedabad or the airport. The route is proposed to be included in the ongoing Phase 2, which also covers the Motera to Mahatma Mandir (Gandhinagar) stretch.

It is further infromed that on the proposed route, the stretch from Koteshwar to the Taj Hotel Circle (Ummed Hotel) will be elevated, while the stretch connecting the Taj Circle to SVPI Airport will be underground. There will be four stations on this route as per the proposal. The Metro station at the airport will also be underground, as per the proposed DPR. Passengers will be able to reach directly to the airport terminal using lifts and escalators.

The other route proposed by GMRC is a 10-kilometer circular route within GIFT City with six new stations. It will be useful for those working in GIFT City. DPR for this proposed route is also approved by the State government. It has been send to the Centre for approval.

A 40 km route in Surat is under construction by GMRC. The first route is likely to operate next year at a cost of Rs. 12,000 crore. Two more project to provision Metro train projects in Surat and Vadoara are approved by the State government and sent to the Centre. DeshGujarat