Delays Plague Surat Metro Rail Project, Adding to City’s Traffic Woes

Surat : As tens of thousands of residents in Surat grapple with severe traffic disruptions due to the ongoing construction of the Surat Metro Rail project, the end of their ordeal seems far from sight. The Phase-1 work of the Surat Metro, initially slated for completion by March 2024, has seen its deadline pushed to December 2024. Despite this extension, a mere 15-20% of the work has been completed, leaving many questioning the Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation’s (GMRC) management of the project.

The lack of progress is compounded by the GMRC’s apparent inaction against contractors failing to meet deadlines. This delay not only affects the public but also escalates the interest costs on the GMRC’s loans for the project, further straining resources.

The ambitious project includes tunnel boring for an underground route, a task undertaken by Gulemark Agency. A Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) was deployed in September 2023 to construct a 1.2 km tunnel from Kapodra to Labheshwar Chowk. Another TBM was employed to create a parallel tunnel for an additional track. These corridors were originally scheduled for completion by March 2025, while the Sarthana to Dream City corridor was supposed to be operational by December 2023. However, the work is progressing at a sluggish pace, raising concerns among citizens and stakeholders alike.

The Surat Metro Rail project consists of two main corridors: the Diamond Corridor and the Textile Corridor. The Diamond Corridor, stretching 21.61 km from Sarthana to Dream City, is part of the larger 40.35 km route. This corridor includes critical stops at Kapodra Labheshwar Chowk, Lambe Hanuman Road, Surat Railway Station, Highway Labor Gate, Althan Village, and finally Dream City.

The second phase of the metro project involves the 18.84 km Textile Corridor, connecting Bhesan to Saroli. This route is pivotal as it passes through key areas such as Udhana Darwaza, Kamela Darwaza, Ajana Farm, Model Town, and several textile markets in the Magob Extension. These routes are designed to ease traffic congestion and provide efficient public transportation options for Surat’s growing population.

Despite the promising plans, the current pace of work leaves much to be desired. The underground construction, crucial for the Surat metro rail to operate smoothly in a densely populated city like Surat, is lagging significantly. This delay not only affects daily commuters but also businesses relying on timely project completion to enhance logistical efficiencies.

Residents like Rohit Mehta express their frustration, saying, “We were hopeful that the metro would ease our daily commute, but the constant delays are discouraging. The city’s traffic situation is worsening, and the prolonged construction is a daily nuisance.”