Surat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday will perform the ground-breaking ceremony virtually for the first phase of the Rs 12,020 crore Surat Metro Rail Project via video-conferencing. Deputy chief minister Nitin Patel, social justice and empowerment minister Ishwar Patel and BJP chief C R Paatil among other dignitaries will remain present at the venue at Diamond Bourses in the city.
According to sources, the metro project is 40.35km long and comprises two corridors. The 21.61-km-long corridor-I is from Sarthana to Dream City, while the 18.74km-long corridor-II is from Bhesan to Saroli. It will consist of 10 elevated stations in South-West Surat and connect Dream City with Kadarsha Ni Nal in the city’s core. East of that, the line will head underground towards Surat Railway Station for 3.46 km and onward to Chowk Bazar at 3.56 km.
The first phase of 21.61 km metro rail will pass via Nana Varachha, Railway Station, Maskati Hospital, Gandhi Baug, Majura Gate, Roopali Canal, AlthanTenament, VIP road, Surat Women ITI and Convention Centre in the city.
Earlier last month, the Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) approved the tender of the lowest bidder among the six to construct the first 11.6km Kadarsha Ni Nal to Dream City at Khajod section of Surat metro’s line-1.
“The groundwork for Surat Metro is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2021 and full-fledged construction in the second quarter of 2021,” said an official.
Box:
Route Length
Route Underground (km) Elevated (km) Total
Sarthana-Dream City 6.47 15.14 21.61
Bhesan-Saroli 18.74 18.74
Total 6.47 33.88 40.35
Box
Number of stations
Route Underground Elevated Total
Sarthana-Dream City 6 14 20
Bhesan-Saroli 18 18
Total 6 32 38