It has been two years since the launch of Ahmedabad Metro Rail, however, the highly promoted mode of transport has been making a loss for the government.

In the financial year 2022-23, Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) incurred a loss of ₹321 crore while in 2021-22, GMRC suffered a loss of ₹465 crore.

On average, GMRC incurred a daily loss of ₹87 lakh in 2022-23. However, there has been a reduction in losses compared to the financial year 2021-22, when a loss of ₹465 crore was recorded.

With the opening of new routes and increasing number of passengers, the loss is expected to reduce in the coming years.

The Metro Rail has now become a ‘lifeline’ for many citizens. Compared to two-wheelers, Metro travel saves 35 to 40 minutes and up to ₹50 in expenses, suggest sources.

On the East-West corridor, the distance from Vastral village to Thaltej is approximately 26 kilometres by vehicle. By metro, it will only cost₹1 per km.

According to GMRC sources, from October 2022 to August 2024, the Metro carried an average of 72,514 passengers daily, generating revenue of ₹8.88 lakh. 

From January to August this year, 2.31 crore passengers travelled via Metro, generating ₹27.47 crore in revenue, compared to 2.53 crore passengers recorded last year.

Highest income in past 2 years

While the Metro Rail has become a lifeline for many, there are still shortcomings:

Parking: There is a lack of parking facilities near Metro stations, forcing many commuters to opt for their vehicles instead of the Metro.

Connectivity: A proper feeder connectivity also refrains many people from using the Metro. If public transport facilities were available at other locations near Metro stations, the number of passengers could increase.

Recently, partial route of the Motera to Mahatma Mandir corridor was inaugurated on September 16. Nearly 56,000 passengers travelled between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar by Metro in just two weeks. 

The 20.8 km long corridor of Phase 2 of the Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar Metro Rail project garnered a great response from people. This network connects GNLU, PDEU, GIFT City and Gandhinagar’s Sector-1.

Also read:

A lakh a day: Ahmedabad Metro hits weekday-ridership landmark