To Bid As 2036 Host, Gujarat Metro Proposes New Extensions To Connect Major Olympic Sites Around Ahmedabad

As part of the Gujarat government's ambitious drive to create world-class infrastructure in preparation for its planned bid for the 2036 Olympics, the Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) has presented a proposal to the Centre to approve vital metro extensions to connect major Olympic sites.

Ahmedabad Mirror reported that a top official revealed that GMRC has floated a 7 km extension from GIFT City to IIT-Gandhinagar, with six new stations for an estimated Rs 1,750 crore. The proposals are scheduled to be cleared this year, the official further stated.

Further, GMRC has also laid plans for an 8 km extension from Thaltej Gam to Godhavi, valued at Rs 2,500 crore. These extensions are part of a larger infrastructure vision to coincide with the expected international sporting event.

An additional 6 km metro connection from Koteshwar to Ahmedabad airport is also in the proposal list, aimed at easy movement of passengers to and from the airport. The proposal involves a mix of four underground and four above-ground stations at an estimated cost of Rs 1,800 crore.

GMRC has asked the Union government to fast-track clearances for these proposals, ensuring that a minimum of four to five years would be required to implement these projects in time for the Olympic deadline.

While initially planned as part of Phase 2 of the Metro expansion, these routes have now been included in the proposed Phase 3.

In the meantime, Phase 2 operations that already exist are already in place, with services operating from Motera to Sector-1 of Gandhinagar and from GNLU to GIFT City.

The expansion from Sector-1 to Mahatma Mandir is in the process of construction and will be completed by December end.

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