Ahmedabad, April 2 (IANS) The Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) has extended metro train services in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar on selected dates to facilitate passenger movement during the IPL 2026 day-night matches scheduled at Narendra Modi Stadium.​

In a statement issued on Thursday, the corporation said metro services will operate beyond normal hours on April 4, April 17, April 20, April 26, April 30, May 3 and May 12.​

On these days, services will run until 12:30 a.m. to accommodate spectators attending matches at the stadium.​

Under the regular timetable, metro services in Ahmedabad operate between 06:20 a.m. and 10 p.m., while services on the Gandhinagar corridor from Motera Stadium to Mahatma Mandir run from 07:30 a.m. to 07:40 p.m.​

On match days, additional late-night services will be introduced after 10 p.m.​

Trains will run from Motera Stadium to APMC between 10 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. and from Old High Court Interchange to Vastral Gam and Thaltej Gam between 10 p.m. and 12:50 a.m.​

Two additional services from Motera Stadium to Mahatma Mandir will operate at 11:40 p.m. and 12:10 a.m.​

Passengers travelling after matches will be permitted to board trains only from Motera Stadium and Sabarmati stations, from where connectivity will be available to all operational stations on both Ahmedabad corridors, as well as on the Gandhinagar route up to Mahatma Mandir.​

To manage the expected footfall, GMRC has introduced a special paper ticket for return journeys on match days.​

The ticket will be priced at a flat Rs 50 per person and will be valid for travel from Motera Stadium and Sabarmati stations to all operational stations in Ahmedabad, and between Motera Stadium and Mahatma Mandir during extended hours.​

The corporation stated that regular ticketing options, including contactless smart tokens, smart cards, National Common Mobility Cards and QR-based tickets, will remain valid only until 10 p.m. on these days.​

Tickets purchased in advance for return journeys through kiosks, ticket vending machines, counters or the mobile application will not be valid after that time.​

After 10 p.m., entry at Motera Stadium and Sabarmati stations will be permitted only with the special paper ticket.​

The special tickets will be available for advance purchase on match days at multiple stations including Nirant Cross Road, Rabari Colony, Apparel Park, Kalupur, Old High Court, Thaltej, Motera, Sabarmati, Ranip, Vadaj, Jivraj Park, GNLU, Infocity, Sector-1 and Mahatma Mandir to reduce congestion after matches.​

The announcement comes as Ahmedabad prepares to host fixtures of the IPL season.​

According to the schedule, the stadium will start with Gujarat Titans versus Rajasthan Royals on April 4 in an evening fixture.​

The venue, which serves as the home ground of Gujarat Titans, is among the host cities for the tournament, which began on March 28 and is being played across multiple venues in India.​

Narendra Modi Stadium, the largest cricket venue in the world, has regularly hosted high-profile IPL fixtures, including playoff matches in previous seasons, and is expected to draw large crowds during the current tournament.​

–IANS

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