Metro works may start in October end

When announced in 2004-05,the estimated cost of the project was below Rs 5,000 crore. Nine years down the line,the estimated cost of the project has gone up to Rs 21,000 crore. The details of the project were announced by Chief Minister Narendra Modi on his official portal in September 2012,just before December Assembly polls. Like affordable housing,the metro rail project was one of the biggest poll promises by the Narendra Modi government.

The MEGA has also invited expression of interest from global consultants for detailed design construction at the beginning of this month. Tenders to supply construction material have also been released in August. The state government too has finalised the detailed project report submitted by the MEGA.

The foundation stone laying ceremony would be done in old city area of Ahmedabad. A total network of 82.33 km,including elevated and underground corridors,is being planned covering both Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar cities,sources said.

The first phase,which is targeted to be completed by August 2017,will have the entire elevated corridor of 63.71 km. The second phase,with underground corridor of 18.42 km,will be commissioned by 2021. Of total 53 stations,42 are elevated and 11 are under ground. The total cost of project is estimated to be Rs 21,000 crore.