Press Release

Ahmedabad, September 30, 2022: On 30th September 2022, the line of Ahmedabad Metro Project partially funded by the Japan -International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for commercial operation, which consists 18.9 km of the North-South corridor and 19.8 km of the East-West corridor, was inaugurated by the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi.

The flagging-off was done by Shri Narendra Modi, Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, at Doordarshan Kendra Station. Ms. HOKUGO Kyoko, Minister (Economic & Development), Embassy of Japan, attended the ceremony together with other dignitaries. From JICA India, Mr. SAITO Mitsunori, Chief Representative and Mr. Sarin Vineet, Chief Development Specialist, attended the ceremony. Mr. Modi also rode the metro between Doordarshan Kendra Station and Kalupur Metro Station.

Speaking on this occasion, Mr. KAWAZU Kunihiko, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim, Embassy of Japan said, "We would like to congratulate on the successful completion of the project and the ceremony held on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Japan. Due to rapid expansion of population and economic activities, traffic congestion and traffic pollution have become a major concern for the city. Ahmedabad metro will provide the alternative choice of city transportation and shall also ease traffic congestion and pollution. The metro is well planned as a part of the integrated urban transportation of the city. Further, it is expected to contribute to further economic development and the further transaction in Ahmedabad."

Speaking about the initiative, Mr. SAITO Mitsunori, Chief Representative, JICA India Office said, "It is an honour for JICA to support the 1st metro project in Gujarat state, the nation's growth driver. JICA has been helping India to achieve its socio-economic development goals and this Metro Rail System Network is one such example. JICA aligns itself with the Government of India's plans to improve the transportation system in India. Especially, Ahmedabad is well known as a smart city, and I'm pleased that this project has contributed to its further development as a smart city by promoting a variety of transport options. As the biggest bilateral donor of India, JICA is determined to help India advance all its sectors through technical cooperation, concessional loan provision, and grant finance provision and strengthen ties between India and Japan."

JICA has extended totally 112,793 million Japanese yen in ODA loans (approximately INR 20,000 crore) for Ahmedabad Metro Project. The entire line of Ahmedabad Metro consists of 18.9km North-South corridor and 21.2km East-West corridor passing through the central business district, densely populated residential area and academic area of Ahmedabad metropolitan area. JICA has extended its support for mitigating traffic conditions, decreasing consequent automobile pollution, and improving urban environment in the state of Gujarat by developing a metro rail system in Ahmedabad city.

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About JICA

Established, by a specific law, as an incorporated administrative institution under the Government of Japan, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) aims to contribute to the promotion of international cooperation, as a sole Japanese governmental agency in charge of ODA implementation. JICA is the world's largest bilateral donor agency. JICA works as a bridge between Japan and emerging countries, and provides assistance in forms of loan, grant and technical cooperation so that the emerging countries can strengthen their capabilities.

• JICA India Office Web
• JICA India Brochure (PDF)
• JICA Facebook Page (external link)

For further information, please contact:

JICA India Office
Shusaku Takada /Aishwarya Mishra
+91 11 49097000
Takada.Shusaku@jica.go.jp; Mishra-Aishwarya@jica.go.jp

Edelman India
Rakhi Aurora
(+91) 9599067185
Rakhi.Aurora@edelman.com