Metro changes track

GANDHINAGAR: The proposed Metro rail will now not run on Ashram Road but on an elevated track built on unused land on the eastern side of the adjacent Botad-Sabarmati meter-gauge line. The central government has cleared the proposal for use of the unused land that was proposed by the state government a decade ago.
The original proposal, moved in 2003-04 by Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority, was rejected by the Congress-led UPA government.However, after Narendra Modi took over as Prime Minister, the Railway Board has decided to give to the Gujarat government a part of the 8.5-km-long stretch of land for the Metro rail project.
For this, Gujarat chief minister Anandiben Patel has expressed her gratitude on behalf of the people of the state to the Prime Minister and his BJP government at the Centre.
The Centre has now granted permission for construction of an elevated corridor and seven stations on the railway land on the eastern side of the meter-gauge line in the Vejalpur-Nava Vadaj stretch.
In an official statement, Gujarat finance minister and government spokesperson Saurabh Patel said that the unused land parallel to the metre-gauge railway line will be used to build the elevated corridor and seven stations for the Metro rail project.
The new alignment of the Metro rail has increased the length of the route by two km and added two more stations.
"With the inclusion of new areas in the route, we expect a significant increase in the number of Metro passengers. It will also ease the burden on city roads," the minister said.
"People living in Satellite, Manekbaug areas can access Metro station at Jivraj Park. Similarly, those from Ambawadi, Navrangpura and Vadaj areas will also benefit," said Patel.
I P Gautam, vice-chairman and MD, Metro-Link Express for Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad, said that the change in alignment will benefit people living on either side of the railway line up to 500 metre to 1km.
In the changed alignment, the Metro rail will cross Shreyas railway over-bridge and Gujarat college railway over-bridge. This will lead to increase in the height of the elevated corridor. Further, there will be availability of extra commercial area of 1 floor at Metro stations which can be used for commercial purpose to given on lease or rent for additional revenue.
Nitin Patel, state cabinet minister and government spokesperson, stated that the new route will prevent congestion on Ashram Road and also be more convenient for commuters.