India’s metro rail system is making its mark in global discussions as one of the largest metro networks in the world. With a rapid expansion, the country’s metro system now covers 1000 kilometers, making it the third-largest globally, trailing only behind China and the United States. This milestone highlights India’s significant strides in improving regional connectivity and urban transportation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate several projects worth $1.46 billion today in Delhi, with one of the key highlights being the 13 km Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat corridor. This stretch, valued at $553 million, will boost travel between Delhi and Meerut, offering millions of commuters a fast, safe, and reliable mode of transportation. This project also marks the introduction of Delhi’s first Namo Bharat connectivity.
India’s metro system began with the first train running in Kolkata in 1984, but the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) opened its first corridor in Delhi on December 24, 2002, between Shahdara and Tis Hazari, under the leadership of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Since then, metro services have grown from five states and cities in 2014 to now serving 23 cities across 11 states, with plans for further expansion, including Madhya Pradesh.
The metro network has grown threefold in the last decade, expanding from 248 kilometers in 2014 to 1000 kilometers today. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri mentioned that India is set to surpass the United States in the next few years, becoming the second-largest metro system globally. India’s metro system continues to be a preferred mode of transport due to its convenience, affordability, and efficiency for daily commuters in urban areas.
