In a new chapter of international collaboration for sustainable transport, DB Engineering & Consulting (DB E&C) — the consulting arm of Deutsche Bahn, Germany’s national railway company — has signed a strategic consulting agreement with the Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) for Phase-1 of the Surat Metro Rail Project. The project receives financial support from Germany’s KfW Development Bank, known for backing climate-friendly infrastructure across India.
German Expertise for India’s Smart Transit Goals
The agreement, signed last week, marks the beginning of a two-year partnership aimed at introducing smart design, operational efficiency, and sustainability into Surat’s growing metro network. DB E&C will assist GMRC in planning operations, improving multimodal connectivity, and enhancing commuter experience through modern, accessible station design and non-fare revenue models.
According to DB E&C India’s Head of Business Consulting, Nishant Vyas, the goal is to “combine international knowledge with local insights to create a metro system that truly serves its people.”
Part of a Wider Sustainable Mobility Framework
Germany’s KfW Development Bank has long been a financing partner in India’s urban infrastructure, including Bengaluru Metro, where it has supported multiple phases with soft loans exceeding €1 billion. The Surat engagement continues this focus on low-emission, inclusive transport solutions, aligning with the Indo–German Green Urban Mobility Partnership (GUMP) that supports clean and climate-resilient city projects across India.
By blending international expertise with local innovation, these initiatives are helping Indian cities modernize their public transport systems while keeping sustainability at the core.
Smart Growth for a Fast-Expanding City
Surat, one of India’s fastest-growing industrial cities, is developing a 40-km metro network under Phase-1 at a cost of around ₹12,000 crore. With support from both KfW and France’s AFD, the project is envisioned as a model for mid-sized cities adopting green, technology-enabled transport.
For Germany, it represents another step in its broader cooperation with India on urban transformation — one that merges engineering precision, sustainable financing, and shared commitment to clean growth.
The partnership between DB E&C and GMRC stands as a forward-looking collaboration — blending technical expertise and developmental finance to help shape smarter, greener cities for India’s next generation of commuters.
