Ahmedabad Metro recorded a sharp rise in ridership during the IPL 2026 final, with passenger journeys across the Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar network nearing the two-lakh mark as services were extended into the early hours of Monday to accommodate heavy demand.
According to the Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC), a total of 1,95,868 passenger journeys were recorded on May 31, the day of the IPL final, representing a 66 per cent increase from 1,17,939 journeys logged on May 24.
The surge was driven by thousands of spectators travelling to and from the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera, which hosted the IPL final between the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and the Gujarat Titans.
GMRC had initially announced an extension of metro services until 12:30 a.m. on match day. However, due to the large post-match rush, operations continued well beyond the scheduled time.
“Metro services remained operational till 2:19 a.m. to meet passenger requirements,” GMRC said in a statement issued on Monday.
To manage the additional crowd, the corporation operated 62 extra train services beyond the regular schedule. The last train from Motera Metro Station towards APMC departed at 2:19 a.m., while the final train from Old High Court Metro Station, ensuring connectivity on the East-West Corridor, departed at 2:45 a.m. The last service from Motera to Gandhinagar left at 12:24 a.m.
GMRC data showed that Phase 1 of the metro network recorded 1,77,106 passenger journeys on May 31, compared with 1,03,545 on May 24. Phase 2 registered 18,762 journeys, up from 14,394 during the corresponding period.
The extended operations followed a packed IPL final in which Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets to retain the title. Chasing 156, Bengaluru reached 161 for five in 18 overs, led by Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 75 off 42 balls. Gujarat Titans had earlier posted 155 for eight after losing key wickets during the powerplay.
The match, held at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday night, drew a large crowd and generated significant demand across Ahmedabad’s transport network. With the victory, Bengaluru became only the third franchise in IPL history to win consecutive titles.
GMRC thanked commuters for maintaining discipline during the event and acknowledged the support extended by Ahmedabad Police and the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.
“GMRC requests citizens to make maximum use of the metro service, which is a safe, reliable, comfortable, environmentally friendly and affordable mode of transport,” the corporation said.
(With inputs from IANS)
