New Delhi, February 24: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the expansion of the North-South metro corridor from GIFT City to Shahpur in Gujarat. The project will be executed by the Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Limited (GMRC).
The proposed stretch will cover 3.33 kilometres and feature three elevated stations. Authorities have set a timeline of approximately four years for completion. The total investment for the project has been pegged at ₹1,067.35 crore.
According to official estimates, the extended corridor is projected to serve nearly 23,700 commuters by 2029, with ridership expected to rise to over 58,000 passengers daily by 2041. The extension is aimed at improving seamless connectivity between Ahmedabad and GIFT City, a rapidly growing financial and commercial hub.
Officials stated that the new link will provide easier access to business districts, multinational firms, academic institutions and other commercial establishments along the route. It is also expected to ease daily travel for those commuting between Ahmedabad and the GIFT region for work, education and business purposes.
The construction phase is anticipated to create around 1,000 jobs, while nearly 250 personnel will be required for operations and maintenance once the corridor becomes functional. Additional indirect employment opportunities are also expected to emerge.
GMRC operates as a 50:50 joint venture between the Government of India and the Government of Gujarat.
At present, the Gujarat Metro network spans 68.28 km under Phase-I and 53 km under Phase-II, covering key corridors including APMC to Motera Stadium and Thaltej Gam to Vastral Gam. The operational network, which became fully functional between September 2022 and January 2026, records an average daily ridership of approximately 1.6 lakh passengers.
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