Gujarat Metro's first train arrives, 31 to follow

Amdavadis will no longer have to wait to plunge into the quickest station-to-station rides. The first coach of the Metro rail, exported from South Korea, has landed at Mundra Port on Sunday. The service on the East-West Corridor will be available from March.

The second train will be in the city by January 3. Thirty-two trains will ply between 32 stations in 40-km-long first phase.

As per Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi's direction, Managing Director of Metro-Express Link for Gandhinagar Ahmedabad (MEGA) has decided to finish the work on eastern Ahmedabad on a priority basis, agency Managing Director IP Gautam said. A trial run will be made soon after January 14, he said.

The trail run on the first six stations — Vastral Gam, Nirant Cross Roads, Vastral, Rabari Colony, Amraiwadi and Apparel Park of the East-West Corridor — will be done over two-and-a-half months.
Speed

The trains could travel at a maximum speed of 80km/hour, MEGA said. "On an average, the trains will run at 30-35km/per hour," Gautam said. He added the new service will reduce the travel time by almost 50 per cent as compared to BRTS route.

Third-rail technology

The third-rail technology will be used to prepare the tracks. The system will provide 750V DC power.

No decision on the fare

"No decision has been taken on the fare yet. However, there'll be a common card payment system for Metro, BRTS and AMTS corridors. Tickets can also be purchased online," he said.