The Ahmedabad Metro Phase 3 project is planned as the next major expansion of the city’s mass rapid transit system. The project is designed to improve connectivity across western and southern suburbs, sports hubs and important regional nodes. Spearheaded by the Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC), Phase 3 will add around 60 km of elevated metro network along with 41 to 43 new stations. The expansion will take the metro network closer to upcoming regional hubs, including the Dholera International Airport. The project is targeted for completion in 2030 and includes several important corridors designed to address missing transit links and improve connections between different parts of Ahmedabad. This article explains the routes, stations, current status and future connectivity plans under Phase 3.
Ahmedabad Metro Phase 3 Current Status
The project has cleared a major administrative milestone with Public Investment Board (PIB) clearance. It is currently awaiting final approval from the Union Cabinet, after which civil construction can officially begin. At the pre-construction stage, GMRC has already fast-tracked preliminary activities. This includes floating design consultancy tenders worth ₹2,825 crore for key corridors and beginning utility-shifting work. These activities form part of the preparation for the larger Phase 3 construction programme, with the overall project completion target set for 2030. The early start on tenders and utility work suggests that GMRC is keen to move quickly once the final approval is granted.
Key Ahmedabad Metro Phase 3 Routes and Corridors
The Phase 3 expansion is strategically planned to cover missing transit loops and suburban peripheral areas. Some of the key corridors and routes include the Thaltej Gam to Badrabad via Godhavi corridor, Thaltej Gam to Godhavi Link and Vadaj Circular Loop. Each of these corridors serves a specific purpose, and together they form the backbone of the Phase 3 network.
Thaltej Gam to Badrabad via Godhavi
The main expansion starts at Shilaj Canal Road and traces the Sardar Patel (SP) Ring Road before reaching Badrabad, near the Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway. The corridor is intended to extend metro connectivity toward the southern and western peripheral areas and create an important connection toward the Badrabad region. This corridor is expected to serve a growing number of commuters who currently depend on road transport for travel between these areas.
Thaltej Gam to Godhavi Link
The Thaltej Gam to Godhavi Link, identified as Phase 3A, has an estimated elevated length of 10.8 km. A major feature of this section is a 7.5 km hybrid Metro-Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor. It connects to the upcoming South West Ahmedabad Sports Arena (SWASA) and heads toward Sanand. This section adds another important connection between the western side of Ahmedabad and the surrounding suburban areas, and it is designed to support both daily commuting and event-related travel to the sports arena.
Vadaj Circular Loop Metro
One of the major features of Ahmedabad Metro Phase 3 is the Vadaj Circular Loop, described as Ahmedabad’s first circular “loop metro”. The loop is designed to bypass the central business district while connecting eastern, western and southern zones. It is planned to pass through several major crossroads before returning to Vadaj.
The proposed route includes:
- Akhbarnagar
- Naranpura
- Shivranjani
- Shyamal Crossroads
- Jivraj Park
- APMC
- Pirana
- Isanpur
- Amraiwadi
- Rakhial
- Saijpur Bogha
- Dudhweshwar
- Vadaj
The circular corridor is designed to interlink with existing metro infrastructure and help create seamless connections across different parts of the city. By forming a loop rather than a straight line, it allows commuters to travel between outer areas without passing through the congested central business district.
Major Interchange Hubs
The Phase 3 network will also provide interchange opportunities with the existing Phase 1 and Phase 2 East-West and North-South metro lines. Major interchange locations mentioned for the network include:
- Gujarat University
- APMC
- Amraiwadi
- Vadaj
These interchanges are planned to enable transfers between the existing metro network and the new Phase 3 corridors. For commuters, this means smoother journeys with fewer breaks, as they can switch between lines at key points without leaving the metro system.
Future Dholera Airport Connectivity
Connectivity toward the Dholera region is one of the major highlights of Ahmedabad Metro Phase 3. The Badrabad Terminal is planned to serve as a launchpad for future transit connectivity. Phase 3 will bring the metro network up to the Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway. It also establishes the structural framework for a future direct extension toward the Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR) and the upcoming Dholera International Airport. This planned direction of expansion connects Ahmedabad’s metro development with the wider regional growth story around Dholera, which is expected to become a major economic and industrial hub in the coming years.
Ahmedabad Metro Phase 3 Targeted for 2030
With around 60 km of elevated network and 41 to 43 new stations, Ahmedabad Metro Phase 3 represents a major planned expansion of the city’s mass rapid transit system. The project is currently awaiting final Union Cabinet approval, while GMRC has already started preliminary activities, including consultancy tenders and utility-shifting work. The planned corridors cover western and southern suburban areas, create the Vadaj circular loop and strengthen the future connectivity framework toward Badrabad, the Dholera SIR and Dholera International Airport. The targeted completion year for Ahmedabad Metro Phase 3 is 2030.
What Commuters and Residents Need to Know
For commuters and residents of Ahmedabad, Phase 3 is expected to bring significant changes to daily travel once it becomes operational. The new corridors will connect areas that currently lack direct metro access, and the Vadaj Circular Loop will make it easier to travel between outer zones without passing through the city centre. The interchange hubs at Gujarat University, APMC, Amraiwadi and Vadaj will allow passengers to switch between existing and new lines smoothly. The future link toward Badrabad and Dholera will also open up new travel options for people working in or visiting the Dholera region. Until the project is completed, residents should expect construction activity and utility work in several areas as GMRC prepares the ground for Phase 3.
Conclusion
Ahmedabad Metro Phase 3 is set to become the next big step in the city’s public transport network, adding around 60 km of elevated metro lines and 41 to 43 new stations. The project has received PIB clearance and is awaiting final approval from the Union Cabinet before civil construction begins. Key corridors include the Thaltej Gam to Badrabad route via Godhavi, the Thaltej Gam to Godhavi Link with a hybrid Metro-RRTS section, and the Vadaj Circular Loop, which will be Ahmedabad’s first loop metro. The network will also connect with existing lines at Gujarat University, APMC, Amraiwadi and Vadaj. With a completion target of 2030, Phase 3 is expected to improve connectivity across western and southern suburbs and lay the groundwork for future transit links toward the Dholera SIR and Dholera International Airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is Ahmedabad Metro Phase 3?
A1. Ahmedabad Metro Phase 3 is the next major expansion of the city’s metro network, planned by GMRC. It will add around 60 km of elevated network and 41 to 43 new stations, with a completion target of 2030.
Q2. What is the current status of Ahmedabad Metro Phase 3?
A2. The project has received Public Investment Board (PIB) clearance and is awaiting final approval from the Union Cabinet. GMRC has already floated design consultancy tenders worth ₹2,825 crore and started utility-shifting work.
Q3. What are the key corridors under Ahmedabad Metro Phase 3?
A3. The key corridors include the Thaltej Gam to Badrabad via Godhavi route, the Thaltej Gam to Godhavi Link (Phase 3A) with a 7.5 km hybrid Metro-RRTS section, and the Vadaj Circular Loop, which is Ahmedabad’s first loop metro.
Q4. What is the Vadaj Circular Loop?
A4. The Vadaj Circular Loop is a circular metro corridor that bypasses the central business district and connects eastern, western and southern zones. It passes through Akhbarnagar, Naranpura, Shivranjani, Shyamal Crossroads, Jivraj Park, APMC, Pirana, Isanpur, Amraiwadi, Rakhial, Saijpur Bogha, Dudhweshwar and Vadaj.
Q5. How will Ahmedabad Metro Phase 3 connect to Dholera?
A5. Phase 3 will bring the metro network up to the Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway and establish the structural framework for a future direct extension toward the Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR) and the upcoming Dholera International Airport, with the Badrabad Terminal planned as a launchpad for future transit connectivity.