Cabinet approves Ahmedabad Metro Rail project Phase 2A (Koteshwar Road to Airport corridor)

📌 Summary:

• Union Cabinet approved Phase 2(A) of the Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project — a 6.032 km corridor with 5 stations (4 elevated, 1 underground)
• Total completion cost (including IDC) ₹2,169.04 crore; on operationalisation, Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar will have 77.63 km of active metro network
• Stations: Ashram Road, Koteshwar Prachin Mandir, Sabarmati River, Sardar Nagar and Airport — providing seamless airport connectivity
• Benefits: enhanced connectivity, reduced road congestion and travel time, environmental gains (lower carbon emissions vs fossil-fuel transport), economic growth and equitable urban mobility
• Supports planned sporting infrastructure for the World Police Games 2029 and Commonwealth Games 2030

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 — urban infrastructure, sustainable public transport, urbanisation and mobility

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Phase 2(A): 6.032 km, 5 stations (4 elevated + 1 underground), cost ₹2,169.04 crore (incl. IDC)
• Post-completion Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar metro network: 77.63 km
• IDC = Interest During Construction

🔑 Key Term: IDC (Interest During Construction) — interest accruing on borrowed funds during a project's construction period, capitalised into the total project cost.