Ahmedabad Metro: GMRC Begins Trial Run On Sabarmati Bridge And Underground Section

Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) launched train testing on a 10.2 km section between Apparel Park and Gujarat University stations on Ahmedabad Metro’s east-west Blue Line.

“Gujarat Metro has started running trials on the East-West corridor from Thaltej to Old High Court. These trials include running of trains and their interface testing with all other systems such as traction, signaling and platform screen doors,” GMRC said in a tweet.

The 20.73 km long east-west Blue Line connects Vastral Gam and Thaltej Gam with 17 stations. It has a 6.5-km underground section with four underground stations. A 6 km stretch of Line-1 between Apparel Park and Vastral Gam is already operational since March 2019.

Using a battery-operated railcar, GMRC conducted the trials through the line’s 6.83 km Shahpur – Kankaria East underground tunnels and on 298 m long Sabarmati River bridge.

This vital metro bridge over River Sabarmati was completed in November 2021. The metro line crosses this river bridge and immediately descends as an underground line.

“This is the first time a train has traveled west of Apprarel Park, underneath the old city, over the Sabarmati and across to West Ahmedabad. Along the way, the train passed through 8 stations at Kankaria East, Kalupur Railway Station, Gheekanta, Shahpur, Old High Court Interchange, Stadium, Commerce Six Roads and Gujarat University,” reads a report on this development by The Metrorailguy.

39.26 km Ahmedabad Metro Phase 1 project comprises two lines and 32 stations. It is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 10,773 crore.

20.73 km Line-1 (East-West or Blue Line) connects Vastral Gam and Thaltej Gam with 17 stations.

18.87 km Line 2 (North-South corridor or Red Line) is completely elevated starting from APMC Vasna and connects Motera, with 15 stations.

In February, GMRC launched train trial runs (testing) on the north-south line. The trail run was staged between the Gyaspur depot and Jivraj Park station.

Phase 2 Of Ahmedabad Metro

In Feb 2019, the Union Government approved the 28 km Ahmedabad Metro Phase 2 project at a total estimated cost of Rs 5,384 crore. Its foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 4 March 2019.

The second phase involves two elevated corridors. The first corridor begins at the Narendra Modi cricket stadium at Motera (where Phase-1 culminates) and extends northwards, connecting Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar.

A 5.42 km metro rail line will branch out eastwards of this corridor at the GNLU metro station and connect GIFT City.

GMRC awarded the tender of phase-2 to Afcons Infrastructure and M/s Ranjit Buildcon.