Surat – The scenario:

Surat is one of the fastest growing SMART cities in India, known internationally as a diamond cutting and polishing hub. The city has been streamlining its governance and planning processes in mobility and air quality, urban planning and biodiversity, water management, green building and energy, with all the indicators in line with most functions and services.?

The high population growth rate coupled with high economic growth rate, has resulted in an ever increasing demand for transport, increasing congestion on the roads, putting pressure on existing transport system. Currently the absence of an effective and efficient public transportation, with speed and last mile connectivity, has resulted in increased use of personal vehicles, in turn increasing the pollution. The Surat Metro Rail project will address routine traffic congestion problems and is expected to reduce accidents and pollution, decreasing the overall energy usage. It is also expected to offset 40,000t of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

The Surat Metro Rail Project:

With an estimated investment of INR. 120.2bn ($1.71bn), the foundation for the Surat Metro rail project was laid in Jan 2021. It is a mass rapid transit system (MRTS) planned to encourage the public transport usage with multi-modal connectivity.?

A total of 38 metro stations are planned in 2 metro corridors/lines, with a total length of 40.35 kms, which also includes an underground metro route of 6.47 kms. The plan includes 32 elevated and 6 underground stations. The planned corridors will be equipped with multi-modal integration of the metro rail with other modes of transport - feeder buses, intermediate public transport (IPT), and also non-motorised transport (NMT). The corridors are planned in a way so as to connect the city’s most significant and densely populated areas.?

Corridor-1: Sarthana to DREAM city (Khajod) Proposed to be 21.61km long, includes a 15.14km-long elevated section and a 6.47kmlong underground section

Corridor-2: Bhesan to Saroli. Proposed to be 18.74km-long is planned to be entirely elevated. The Majura Gate station will serve as the intersection point for the two corridors.

The first phase will have two maintenance depots, one in each corridor, at Dream City and Bhesan, equipped with solar equipment to harness solar energy.?

For ticketing, an automatic fare collection system will be set up, comprised of a contactless smart token system, for single journey, and contactless smart cards for multiple journeys, along the route. The infra also incorporates an integrated telecommunication system comprising of fibre optic cable, train radio, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and a public address system.?

The signalling system is planned with continuous automatic train control (CATC), with cab signalling and an automatic train operation (ATO) system. There will also be an automatic train supervision equipment to enhance operational safety.

Disclaimer: The above article is strictly for informational purpose only, as per industry udpates & news, and not to be taken as an investment advice. Surat Diamond Bourse is not responsible for any changes in the data or specific use/misuse of the information.