The Gujarat Industrial Development Board, the implementing authority for the state government's Vision 2010 programme, has approved the development of metro rail in the city.

A detailed project report and feasibility study for the Rs 3,200-crore (Rs 32 billion) project has been undertaken, GIDB officials said.

The metro rail system is being seen as the answer to the complex transportation problem and vehicular congestion that the city has been experiencing for the past few years.

The proposed metro rail system between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar and north-south and east-west corridors of Ahmedabad is being finalised. This is in line with the metro system in Delhi.

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation will be given the work of preparation of a detailed project report (DPR), officials said.

Although it is nearly four years since the state government announced that it proposed to introduce a metro rail service within Ahmedbaad and between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, there has been little or no progress.

Under the project, metro trains are to travel at an elevation of about ten metres above the ground on specially constructed rails that will be supported by a network of pillars.

Most of these rails will be constructed exactly above the existing road network in the city.

Officials did not state when the project details will be finalised and construction will get underway.

Commenting on the progress and implementation of various other projects, GIDB officials said 15 projects worth Rs 2,249 crore (Rs 22.49 billion) have already been implemented with private sector participation (PSP).

In addition, 28 projects totally valued at Rs 36,535.10 crore (Rs 365.35 billion) have been awarded to be implemented through PSP or as joint sector projects.

Feasibility studies are in progress on 39 more projects worth Rs 15,401.85 crore (Rs 154.02 billion).

Regarding non-PSP projects, the GIDB said 29 projects valued at Rs 228.16 crore (Rs 2.28 billion) have been undertaken. It said 95 more projects valued at Rs 10,500.97 crore (Rs 105.01 billion) are under various stages of implementation.

Some of the projects that have been completed with private sector participation include the Pipavav port, Gujarat Chemical Port Terminal, ROB near GNFC Bharuch, Vadodara Halol Road, Mahi Bridge, Ahmedabad-Mehsana Road, Zadeshwar Bridge, Watrak Bridge, Mundra port - Gandhidham railway missing link, GSWAN, and other small projects.

The 28 projects that have already been awarded for implementation to PSP/joint sector include the Hazira LNG Terminal being developed by Shell Gas B.V at a cost of Rs 3,000 crore (Rs 30 billion), Chhayapuri ROB and the Surendranagar-Pipavav gauge conversion project worth Rs 270 crore (Rs 2.70 billion).

The Hazira LNG project that brings with it over Rs 3,000 crore (Rs 30 billion) foreign direct investment shall consist of 11.5 million tpa Port and 5 Million tpa LNG Terminal.

It will also bring with it employment opportunities and savings with LNG over naphtha for the Gujarat Electricity Board and power consumers, GIDB officials said.

In addition, feasibility studies on 39 projects worth Rs. 15,401.85 crore (Rs 154.02 billion) are in progress.

The Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board was set up in 1995 and has been made the nodal organisation for implementation of Gujarat Infrastructure Agenda - Vision 2010, which was developed in 1999.

It has envisaged an investment of Rs 1,17,000 crore (Rs 1,170 billion) in 383 projects over the next ten years in sectors such as roads, rail, ports, power, industrial parks, urban development and gas grid.