Ahmedabad metro commences commercial run

The Vastral-Apparel Park stretch of the Ahmedabad metro rail project has commenced commercial operations. The 6.5 km stretch is a part of the North-South corridor of Phase 1 (41 km) of the project. The total 69 km network under the Ahmedabad metro project will have 54 stations, of which 32 will be developed in Phase I and 22 in Phase II. The project, which is expected to be fully operational by 2024, is being funded by the central government and the Gujarat government and has a total cost of Rs 160 billion. It is being executed by Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Limited, an SPV set up for the purpose. The Japan International Cooperation Agency has extended a soft loan of Rs 60.66 billion for the project.