MetroLink Express Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad

Metro Link Express for Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad (MEGA)
Overview
Native name મેટ્રોલિંક એક્સપ્રેસ ગાંધીનગર અને અમદાવાદ (મેગા)
Owner Government of India (50%)
Government of Gujarat (50%)
Locale Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Transit type Rapid transit
Number of lines 2 (Phase–1)
Number of stations 33 (Phase–1)
Daily ridership 2 million (projected, 2020)
4.5 million (projected, 2041)
Chief executive Manjula Subramaniam
Operation
Operation will start December 2018
Operator(s) Metrolink Express for Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad (MEGA)
Technical
System length 37.776 km (23.473 mi)
Track gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
(IR broad gauge)
Electrification 1500V DC
Average speed 45 km/h (28 mph)
Top speed 80 km/h (50 mph)

Metro Link Express for Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad, abbreviated MEGA, is an under construction mass-transit rail system for the cities of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India. The special purpose vehicle company was established in February 2010 and the Phase–1 of project was approved in October 2014 and is expected to complete by December 2018. The construction started on 14 March 2015.[1][2][3]

History

In 2003, Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board carried out the study for urban transport between Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad. It also carried out the detailed project report through Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and RITES and submitted it in June 2005 and received Central Government's approval in the same year.[4][5] Following the estimated cost of Rs 4295 crores and the study of viability of project, it was abandoned in 2005 to give priority to the Ahmedabad BRTS and Regional Rail system Projects. In 2008, considering the future developments in and around Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, the project was revived and new corridors were designed to make the project viable.

The special purpose vehicle company, Metro Link Express for Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad (MEGA) Company Ltd, was established by Government of Gujarat on 4 February 2010 with Rs 200 crore. Later in 2014, it was decided that the Central Government will own 50% of the company.[6][7]

On 19 October 2014, Union Cabinet of India approved Rs 10773 crore for the Phase–1.[7] The Central government approved use of unused Western Railways land along the Botad- Sabarmati meter gauge line in November 2014.[8] The original plan of metro along Ashram Road was tweaked and the track was moved westward. The new plan added cost of Rs.500 crore and two more stations. It helped by fewer problems in land acquisition and less congestion on Ashram Road.[9][10] Mumbai-based J Kumar Infraprojects Ltd was allotted the construction of viaducts on the six kilometre-long route from Vastral to Apparel Park in February 2015 at cost of Rs 278.12 crore in 27 months.[2][3] In 2015 budget of Gujarat, Rs 611 crore was further allocated for project.[11] The ground breaking ceremony was held on 14 March 2015 for the construction of Vastral – Apparel Park route in presence of Gujarat Chief Minister, Anandiben Patel. The construction of this route is expected to complete by September 2016.[1] The work on north-south corridor is expected to start from July 2015.[12]

Corridors

Approved phases

Phase–1

1. Motera to APMC Vasna (North-South)

2. Thaltej to Vastral Gam (West-East)

Proposed phases

Phase-I extension, Phase-II, Phase-III will include connection to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport to the MEGA network through Motera. The services to Gandhinagar, GIFT City, etc. will be extended from Motera towards North. Also, other parts of the city that have been left as of now e.g. Civil Hospital, etc. will be connected. Most probably, if commissioned, the proposed Fedara International Airport, Dholera SIR, etc. will be connected to MEGA too, which will be after 10 years from now.

Project details

Sr. No. Description Design parameter for Proposed Metro Project Phase
1 Route length Total Planned: ~83 km

(~19 km underground section)

2 Elevated track on viaducts Single, Twin, Triple and Four track viaducts
3 Viaducts Min 5.5m vertical clearance from ROW

Sleek Twin U girder design of 25 to 30m span

Obligatory spans as per site conditions

Monopile foundation predominantly

4 Underground Section Tunnel using Tunnel Boring Machine and Cut & Cover for Station and Approaches
5 Stations 53 nos of total stations

Average Station distance: 1200 m to 1500 m

6 Depot Two Mother Depot

Two light inspection depot

7 Project Ridership Metro (driverless) – all cars motorized
8 Train headway Peak: 5 mins (2016), 1.5 mins (2026), 1.5 mins (2041)
9 Rolling stock – type Metro (driverless) – all cars motorized
10 Train composition Initially 2-car sets expandable to 4 car train sets by automatic coupling mechanism
11 Speed Design Speed (110kmph), Max operating speed (100kmph), Average speed 45 kmph
12 Car size Around 3.6m wide with 4 -doors on each side
13 Design loading Crush (design): 8 pax/m2 excluding seating
14 Axle load Maximum Axle load 19.1 tonne
15 Traction power 1500V DC Third Rail with cathodic protection for viaduct structures and station structures
16 Signalling and control Communication Based Train Control specifically designed for metro use with ATP/ ATO and ATS (axle counters as fall back)
17 Telecommunications Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) Communication System and SCADA for support systems control with Gigabit Ethernet network backbone.
18 Track Track gauge: 1676 mm (IR broad gauge)

Viaducts: 60 kg rail with discrete acoustic attenuating rail fastenings set on concrete plinth. Depot: 60 kg ballasted track & concrete sleepers.

19 Minimum radius curvature 300m preferred min, 175m absolute min
20 Gradient Maximum 4%
21 Mainline turnouts 1:12 Turnouts with Curved Switches and CMS crossings,

1:8.5 Turnouts with Curved Switches and CMS crossings as emergency crossovers

22 Depot turnouts 1:8.5 Turnouts with Curved Switches and CMS crossings
23 Ticketing/ Fare collection Automatic Fare Collection System with five (5) levels of system facilities using Smart Card technology
24 Total nos of proposed bridges 03 nos. on Sabarmati River

01 nos. on Narmada Canal

Based on a long-term cost and benefits analysis conducted by consultants, Egis Rail of France, the broad gauge was selected for the project.[13]

Controversy

Near Thaltej Gam on western side, 300-odd shop owners opposed the land acquisition while the officials said that there is need of huge land for depot and parking for the project.[14]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 DeshGujarat (14 March 2015). "First 6 km works of Ahmedabad Metro to complete by September 2016:CM". DeshGujarat. Retrieved 2015-04-12.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 India (5 February 2015). "Mumbai-based firm wins bid for Ahmedabad metro construction". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2015-02-25.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 DeshGujarat (22 October 2014). "MEGA invites tender for Vastral-Apparel Park stretch of Ahmedabad METRO Rail project". DeshGujarat. Retrieved 2015-02-25.
  4. ↑ http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_from-2015-ride-metro-from-ahmedabad-to-gandhinagar_1746745
  5. ↑ "Ahmedabad metro rail project put on fast track". Business-standard.com. Retrieved 2010-07-27.
  6. ↑ "New firm to speed up Metro in Ahmedabad". dnaindia.com. 2009-05-02. Retrieved 2010-07-27.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Ahemedabad Metro project gets green signal". The Times of India. 17 October 2014. Retrieved 2014-10-18.
  8. ↑ India (5 November 2014). "Modi government clears Railway land for Ahmedabad metro project". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2015-02-25.
  9. ↑ India (16 November 2014). "Tweak in route-map of Ahmedabad metro to cost additional Rs 500 crore". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2015-02-25.
  10. ↑ India (19 December 2014). "Builder of world’s longest Metro line among suitors for Ahmedabad project". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2015-02-25.
  11. ↑ DeshGujarat (24 February 2015). "Gujarat Budget:Allocation for Dream City, Smart Cities, Metro rail, River Front". DeshGujarat. Retrieved 2015-02-25.
  12. ↑ "Metro station on Podim type structure along Botad track - TOI Mobile". The Times of India Mobile Site. 3 February 2015. Retrieved 2015-02-25.
  13. ↑ http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-07-26/news/40815304_1_ahmedabad-metro-metro-rail-broad-gauge
  14. ↑ "Tenders issued for Metro construction - TOI Mobile". The Times of India Mobile Site. 30 January 2015. Retrieved 2015-02-25.

External links