Ahmedabad Metro gains traction with over 1K passengers daily

The Ahmedabad Metro Rail project, which began commercial operations in mid-March, seems to be gaining acceptance, albeit slowly. An analysis of the ridership numbers reveals that more than 1,000 people are using the Metro Rail on an average per day, with the number shooting up sharply on Sundays and holidays.

The 6.5 km stretch of Metro Rail between Vastral Gam and Apparel Park was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 4, and close to 76,000 people availed the free rides on the Metro between March 6 and 14. The commercial operations of the Metro Rail commenced on March 15.

At present, the Metro operates between 11 am and 5 pm, making eight trips from Vastral Gam to Apparel Park, and back. Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) figures show that 38,169 people used the Metro service between March 15 and 31, i.e. an average of 2,245 people per day. If one leaves out the three Sundays, which saw an average of close to 5,000 Amdavadis using the newest public mode of transport, the average daily ridership for the period was 1,695.

"We are quite happy with the initial response. The Metro is running only on a limited stretch, and only three stations are operational, but more than a thousand people are using it every day, which shows that it is being accepted," Amit Gupta, chief general manager of corporate planning in GMRC, told DNA. Gupta also said that people were getting used to the new transport system, and the numbers would grow as more stations become operational. For April, the total ridership of Ahmedabad Metro was exactly 35,000, i.e. a daily average of 1,167. However, if one leaves out the Sundays, the average declines to 942. On April 23, the day Lok Sabha elections took place in the state, the ridership was 1,885, i.e. exactly double the average.

The official said that they have kept the fare deliberately low to encourage more people to use it. The GMRC has fixed Rs5 as fare for the first 2.5 km distance, and Rs10 for 2.5-7.5 km. The Metro fare from Vastral Gam to Apparel Park is Rs10.

"Our fares are the lowest among all Metro Rail projects in the country," he said further. While the Metro Rail initially started between Vastral Gam and Apparel Park stations, the ridership numbers went up significantly after the Nirant crossroad station became operational on April 14. Until April 13, the average ridership was 677, which shot up to 1,169 between April 14 and 30. The Sunday traffic has not been considered for either of the periods.

Amraiwadi station to begin operations

A GMRC executive said the fourth Metro station on the stretch will become operational in a fortnight or so.

"The Amraiwadi station will become operational in 15 days, which will allow people living or working in the area to conveniently avail Metro service," he said.He said that Rabari colony and Vastral stations, which complete the six stations on the stretch, are expected to become operational by July.

The 6.5 km stretch from Vastral Gam to Apparel Park is a part of the 20.74 km East-West corridor, which will extend from Vastral Gam to Thaltej. Work on this corridor, as well as the 18.52 km long North-South corridor from APMC to Motera Stadium, is planned to be completed by December 2020. The cost of Phase 1 of the Ahmedabad Metro project is estimated at Rs10,773 crore.

Phase 2 of the project, to be developed at a cost of Rs6,769 crore, was approved by the union government in February. It will comprise two elevated corridors, one 22.84 km stretch from Motera stadium to Mahatma Mandir, and the second 5.42 km corridor from Gujarat National Law University to GIFT City.

ON THE RIGHT TRACK

• Rs 6,769 cr – The expected cost of Phase 2 of the Ahmedabad Metro project
   
• Rs 10,773 cr – The estimated cost of Phase 1 of the Ahmedabad Metro project
   
• The 6.5 km stretch from Vastral Gam to Apparel Park is a part of the 20.74 km East-West corridor, which will extend from Vastral Gam to Thaltej
   
• Work on this corridor, as well as the 18.52 km long North-South corridor from APMC to Motera Stadium, is planned to be completed by December 2020
   
• At present, the Metro operates between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm, making eight trips from Vastral Gam to Apparel Park, and back.