The Gujarat government is planning to develop a Regional Rail Transit System (RRTS) to improve connectivity between major cities and five proposed satellite towns, helping reduce pressure on rapidly expanding urban centres. Gujarat will become the second region in India after the National Capital Region (NCR) to implement an RRTS network.
The Urban Development Department is preparing technical details for the project, which will connect Sanand with Ahmedabad, Savli with Vadodara, Kalol with Gandhinagar, Bardoli with Surat, and Hirasar with Rajkot. The Ahmedabad–Sanand corridor will be taken up first, with technical bids expected to be invited soon.
Officials said the plan is aimed at supporting the development of satellite towns by providing faster transport links, encouraging people to live outside crowded cities while maintaining easy access to jobs and services.
Currently, metro rail systems in Ahmedabad and Surat operate mainly within city limits, while the proposed RRTS will connect cities with surrounding towns and industrial areas, enabling faster regional travel.
The project is expected to boost economic activity, improve access to employment and education, and help reduce traffic congestion and vehicular pollution. The initiative also aligns with the state’s long-term plans to strengthen infrastructure as it prepares to host major international events in the future.