Ahmedabad Metro Phase 3 Gets PIB Clearance: Dholera Airport Link and City Circular Ring Approved

In a major boost to Gujarat's urban transit vision, the Public Investment Board (PIB) has cleared the Phase III expansion of the Ahmedabad Metro, laying the groundwork for direct rail connectivity to the upcoming Dholera International Airport. The ambitious 60-kilometre expansion, spearheaded by the Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC), now awaits final sanction from the Union Cabinet before civil construction kicks off on the ground.

Connecting Dholera Airport and the Sports Hub

The centerpiece of the Phase III proposal is a high-speed transit corridor stretching from Thaltej Gam to Badrabad via Godhavi, designed to serve fast-growing residential, commercial, and institutional clusters across South West Ahmedabad. Starting along the Shilaj Canal Road, the line runs parallel to the Sardar Patel Ring Road, touching key intersections at Bopal and Shantipura before reaching Badrabad near the Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway.

Crucially, the Badrabad terminus acts as the launchpad for future transit extensions directly into the Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR) and its international airport.

The extension also offers vital connectivity to the South West Ahmedabad Sports Arena (SWASA) at Godhavi. Positioned as a flagship sports hub for upcoming mega-events, including Gujarat's pitch for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, SWASA will now be directly accessible via rapid transit.

Vadaj Circular Loop to De-congest City Centre

Alongside the suburban extensions, the PIB approved an ambitious circular metro route originating and terminating at Vadaj. The loop creates the city's first ring-rail network, weaving through western, eastern, and southern sectors including Akhbarnagar, Naranpura, Shivranjani, Shyamal Crossroads, Jivraj Park, APMC, Pirana, Isanpur, Amraiwadi, Rakhial Road, and Dudheshwar.

By establishing major interchange stations at Gujarat University, APMC, Amraiwadi, and Vadaj, the loop allows commuters to bypass the heavily congested central business district entirely when traveling across town.

Preparatory Work Fast-Tracked for 2030 Games

While formal Cabinet approval remains the final administrative hurdle, GMRC officials have already initiated ground-level groundwork to compress construction timelines. Detailed Design Consultants (DDCs) have been appointed to finalize structural alignments, while geotechnical soil testing and utility diversion tenders are actively under way.

With 41 elevated stations planned across the 60km network, the expansion aims to seamlessly integrate emerging suburban pockets with the existing East-West and North-South corridors, providing long-term infrastructure capacity for the expanding metropolis.