Ahmedabad Metro gets Rs 2,169-crore boost: 10 things to know about new airport corridor

The Union Cabinet -- chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- on Wednesday approved a project to construct a metro corridor between Koteshwar and the Ahmedabad Airport. This marks Phase 2 (A) of the Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project is aimed at providing direct metro connectivity to the airport. Phase 2(A) is set to enhance the city’s infrastructure, serving as a major expansion of its existing Metro Rail Network.

Here are 10 things to know about the project:

Cost: The project will involve an expenditure of Rs 2,169 crore, according to an official Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs statement.

Timeline: The metro corridor is expected to be completed within the next four years.

Length: The corridor will comprise five stations spanning across 6.032 kilometres. Upon completion, the active metro network between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar will expand to 77.63 km.

Stations: The five stations are: Ashram Road, Koteshwar Prachin Mandir, Sabarmati River, Sardar Nagar and Airport. While one of the five stations will be underground, others will be elevated.

Network Expansion: Phase 2A is expected to serve as a major expansion of the Ahmedabad Metro network, integrating previously underserved residential and commercial areas with the existing Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar corridor and laying the foundation for future urban transit growth.

Economic Growth: Reduced travel times and improved access to different parts of the city such as airport, railway stations and bus depots can enhance productivity by allowing individuals to reach their workplaces and destinations more efficiently. This enhanced connectivity can also stimulate local businesses, especially in areas near new metro stations. The project will link the airport with the existing Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar metro corridor as well as key residential and commercial hubs that currently lack efficient transit access.

Employment: The Koteshwar-Ahmedabad Airport project is expected to create around 2,000 jobs during peak construction activity, with around 500 people expected to be employed during operation and maintenance of the metro system.

Benefits: The project aims to improve access between key residential, commercial and transit hubs in the area, with the extension seen reducing road traffic congestion, travel time and improve road safety. It is expected to reduce road traffic congesion and, in turn, lower carbon emissions by encouraging a shift from road transport to metro travel.

Social Impact: The metro rail network's expansion is set to benefit diverse socioeconomic groups and reduce transport disparities, essentially contributing to a higher quality of life by reducing commute times and improving access to essential services.

Sports Infra Push: Authorities expect new sports infrastructure or sports complexes to be developed in areas near the proposed metro corridor as Ahmedabad prepares to host or bid for major international sporting events such as the World Police Games 2029 and the Commonwealth Games 2030.

Meanwhile, the central government highlighted its key achievements as it completed 12 years, stating that the country's infrastructure spending has increased more than six times, from Rs 2 lakh crore in FY15 to Rs 12.2 lakh crore budgeted for FY27. This expenditure has supported connectivity projects and economic development across the country.