Gandhinagar: In a major push to upgrade urban transport infrastructure, the Gujarat govthas begun planning a Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) to link Ahmedabad with its fast-growing outgrowth areas. Similar RRTS networks are being conceptualized for Surat, Rajkot and Vadodara as the state prepares for the next phase of urban expansion.Officials said Ahmedabad is likely to be connected to Sanand, Kalol, Mehsana and Dehgam under the proposed network. For Surat, the likely links include Navsari, Bardoli and Valsad, while Vadodara is expected to be connected with Anand, Nadiad and Dabhoi. Rajkot’s network is expected to include Wankaner and Gondal. The govt has allocated Rs 10 crore in the 2026-27 budget for technical studies and planning of the RRTS corridors. Ahmedabad will be treated as a high-priority urban region for feasibility assessments. Cept University is currently preparing an alternative analysis report to identify the most viable alignment and technology options. To guide the project, the state has roped in the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), which is implementing three RRTS corridors around Delhi — linking the national capital with Meerut, Sonipat and Alwar. NCRTC has been asked to prepare the master plan for Gujarat’s RRTS network. Sources said that once the master plan is ready, the state govt will initiate the next round of approvals and preparatory work. “The aim is to begin physical work on connecting Ahmedabad’s surrounding towns through the RRTS before the 2030 Commonwealth Games,” a top govt source said. Officials noted that several major Gujarat cities have economically significant urban centres located within 40-60km. These towns have strong economic linkages with their parent cities and show high growth potential. “Sanand, Kalol, Mehsana and Dehgam have already emerged as key nodes in the Ahmedabad urban region. With high-quality connectivity, they can evolve into major urban centres,” an official said. Gujarat is undergoing rapid urbanization, with 17 municipal corporations and 152 municipalities. Nearly 48% of the state’s population now lives in urban areas. Earlier, the state govt had announced the development of five satellite towns around major cities and allocated Rs 50 crore in the 2025–26 budget for the initiative. On Oct 18, 2025, the urban development and urban housing department notified Kalol, Sanand, Savli, Bardoli and Hirasar as satellite towns to be developed as extensions of larger cities.
