Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) has proposed key metro extensions to enhance connectivity to Olympics venues. These proposals, currently under review by the Centre, are part of the state's broader strategy to modernise urban transit and cater to the anticipated influx of domestic and international visitors.

One major proposal involves extending Phase-II of the Metro from GIFT City to IIT-Gandhinagar, covering seven km with six new stations, at an estimated cost of Rs 1,750 crore. A senior GMRC official confirmed the submission of the plan to the Central government for approval. Additionally, a separate eight km extension from Thaltej Gam to Godhavi, with a project cost of Rs 2,500 crore, has also been planned under the same phase. An equally critical project aimed at improving airport access is in the pipeline.

GMRC has proposed a six-km metro track from Koteshwar to the airport, which would include a mix of four overground and four underground stations, at an estimated cost of Rs 1,800 crore. The goal is to ease passenger movement to and from the airport, especially during the Olympic events. While these extensions were initially part of Phase 2, they have now been reclassified under Phase 3 to align with new developmental priorities.

GMRC has urged the central government to expedite approvals, citing that each project would require at least four to five years for completion, making immediate action essential for timely readiness before the Olympics. Currently, Phase-II of the Metro, which includes routes from Motera to Sector-1 in Gandhinagar and from GNLU to GIFT City, is operational. The remaining stretch from Sector-1 to Mahatma Mandir is under construction and expected to be completed by the end of December.