Metro impulse sparks in Ahmedabad

AHMEDABAD: Nearly a decade after it was conceived by Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he was chief minister of Gujarat, the work on Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project finally began on Saturday with chief minister Anandiben Patel performing the ground breaking ceremony for its first phase covering 37.76 km stretch from Vastral to Thaltej.
Patel said that the work for the first phase of the metro rail project costing Rs 10,773 crore will be completed by September 2016.The stage for the function was set in front of the Hiraba High School which is one of the centres for the class X and XII board exams.
However, the grand programme organized by the local BJP leaders and the state government at Mahadevnagar Tekra in Vastral had to be suspended due to hailstorm. The chief minister had to be content with a bite to electronic media.
"After Narendrabhai (Modi) became the Prime Minister, he expedited the project clearances. This project will give an alternative of public transport along with the BRTS (Bus Rapid Transit System)," Patel told media persons while sitting on a plastic chair with an umbrella over her head.
"This route (from Vastral to Thaltej) is likely to be finished by September, 2016," she said.
When asked about the opposition by citizens against land acquisition for the metro rail project, Patel assured that her government would consider all voices and try to find an amicable solution for them.
In October last year, the Union Cabinet had approved Rs 10,773 crore for the Phase-1 of Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project which will cover 37.76 km over two routes. The first route (East-West Corridor) will be between Thaltej and Vastral, covering Thaltej, Doordarshan Kendra, Gurukul Road, Gujarat University, Commerce Six Roads, Stadium, Shahpur, Gheekanta, Kalupur Railway Station, Kankariya, Amraiwadi, Rabari Colony and Nirant Cross Road and other areas. On this 20.31 km long route, 13.71 km portion will be alleviated, while 6.6 km will be built underground.