Last updated: 9 July 2026 · Reviewed by the Metro Rail News editorial desk
India operates the world’s third-largest metro rail network. According to Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) data, about 1,090 km of metro lines are in commercial operation across 24 cities as of 2026, with nearly 1,000 km more under construction. This page is the complete, continuously updated index of every metro, RRTS (Namo Bharat), and high-speed rail project in India — organised by status, with network data, implementing agencies, and links to each project’s dedicated information page for route maps, tenders, contracts, and the latest news.
India’s metro journey began with the Kolkata Metro in 1984, followed by the Delhi Metro in 2002, which set the template for modern urban rail delivery in the country. The network crossed the 1,000-km milestone in May 2025, and with the full 82.15 km Delhi–Meerut Namo Bharat corridor operational and the 508 km Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train under construction, India’s rapid transit build-out is now the largest anywhere outside China.
On this page: Network at a Glance · Operational Systems · Under Construction · Approved · Proposed · RRTS / Namo Bharat · High-Speed Rail · Other Rapid Rail · FAQs
India Metro Rail Network at a Glance
| Operational metro network | ≈1,090 km across 24 cities (MoHUA, end-2025) |
| Under construction | ≈1,000 km of new lines and extensions |
| RRTS (Namo Bharat) | 82.15 km operational; 370+ km approved/planned |
| High-Speed Rail | 508.17 km under construction (Mumbai–Ahmedabad); 7,000+ km proposed |
| First metro system | Kolkata Metro (1984) |
| Largest network | Delhi Metro (374.5 km, 271 stations) |
Figures are as of July 2026 and are updated as projects progress. Click any project for detailed route maps, phases, contractors, tenders, and news updates.
Operational Metro Rail Systems in India
Twenty-one Indian cities currently have metro trains in commercial passenger service. Several of the newer systems — Agra, Indore, Bhopal, and Patna — are running priority sections while the balance of their networks remains under construction.
| City / Region | Project | Operational Network | First Opened | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi & NCR | Delhi Metro | 374.5 km | 2002 | DMRC |
| Mumbai | Mumbai Metro | ≈101 km | 2014 | MMRDA / MMRC |
| Bengaluru | Namma Metro | 96.1 km | 2011 | BMRCL |
| Kolkata | Kolkata Metro | 73.4 km | 1984 | Metro Railway Kolkata / KMRC |
| Hyderabad | Hyderabad Metro | 69 km | 2017 | HMRL / HAML |
| Ahmedabad–Gandhinagar | Ahmedabad Metro | 67.6 km | 2019 | GMRC |
| Chennai | Chennai Metro | 54.1 km (Phase 2 opening from 2026) | 2015 | CMRL |
| Nagpur | Nagpur Metro | 38.2 km | 2019 | Maha Metro |
| Pune | Pune Metro | ≈33 km | 2022 | Maha Metro / PMRDA |
| Noida–Greater Noida | Noida Metro (Aqua Line) | 29.7 km | 2019 | NMRC |
| Kochi | Kochi Metro | 28 km | 2017 | KMRL |
| Meerut | Meerut Metro | 23 km (13 stations) | 2026 | NCRTC |
| Kanpur | Kanpur Metro | ≈16 km (of 23.8 km Corridor 1) | 2021 | UPMRC |
| Lucknow | Lucknow Metro | 22.9 km | 2017 | UPMRC |
| Jaipur | Jaipur Metro | ≈12 km | 2015 | JMRC |
| Gurugram | Rapid Metro Gurugram | 12.1 km | 2013 | DMRC (O&M) |
| Navi Mumbai | Navi Mumbai Metro | 11.1 km | 2023 | CIDCO |
| Agra | Agra Metro | ≈6 km (of 29.4 km) | 2024 | UPMRC |
| Indore | Indore Metro | ≈6 km (of 33.5 km) | 2025 | MPMRCL |
| Bhopal | Bhopal Metro | ≈6 km priority corridor | 2025 | MPMRCL |
| Patna | Patna Metro | ≈7 km priority corridor (extended July 2026) | 2025 | PMRC / DMRC |
Metro Projects Under Construction
Beyond the operational systems, entirely new metro networks are under construction in the following cities:
| City | Project | Length | Implementing Agency | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surat | Surat Metro | 40.35 km (2 corridors) | GMRC | Trial runs held on the Dream City–Althan priority stretch in April 2026; opening expected after CMRS clearance |
| Thane | Thane Ring Metro | 29 km (22 stations) | Maha Metro | Approved by Union Cabinet in August 2024; early works under way |
| Bhubaneswar | Bhubaneswar Metro | 26 km (Phase 1) | DMRC (interim) | Civil construction in progress |
In parallel, every major operational system is expanding. Key extension programmes under construction include Delhi Metro Phase IV (61.679 km across three priority corridors plus two additional approved corridors), Chennai Metro Phase 2 (116.1 km, first section opening in 2026), Bengaluru’s Phase 2/2A/2B and Phase 3 corridors, Mumbai Metro Lines 2B, 4, 5, 6, 9 and 12, Kolkata’s Orange and Yellow line extensions, Pune Metro’s Phase 2 reaches and Line 3 to Hinjawadi (23.2 km, opening 2026), Kochi Metro Phase 2 to Infopark, Ahmedabad Metro’s newly approved Phase 2A airport corridor (6 km, sanctioned June 2026), and the balance corridors in Agra, Indore, Bhopal, Patna and Kanpur.
Approved Metro, Metrolite & Metro Neo Projects
The following projects have received state and/or central government approval and are in the pre-construction stage — land acquisition, detailed design, and tendering:
| City | Project | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gorakhpur | Gorakhpur Metrolite | ≈27.8 km (2 corridors) | Light urban rail under UPMRC |
| Nashik | Nashik Metro Neo | ≈32 km | India’s first Metro Neo (rubber-tyred, overhead-powered) system |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Thiruvananthapuram Light Metro | ≈21.8 km | KMRL-led light metro proposal cleared by the state |
| Kozhikode | Kozhikode Light Metro | ≈13.1 km | Light metro planned alongside Thiruvananthapuram |
Proposed Metro Rail Projects
DPRs have been prepared or are being prepared for metro, Metrolite, and Metro Neo systems in these cities. Timelines depend on state and MoHUA/Union Cabinet approvals:
| City / Region | Project | Current Stage |
|---|---|---|
| Visakhapatnam | Visakhapatnam Metro | DPR approved by Andhra Pradesh; central approval awaited |
| Vijayawada | Vijayawada Metro | DPR approved by Andhra Pradesh; central approval awaited |
| Chandigarh Tricity | Chandigarh Metro | UMTA-cleared network; DPR under finalisation |
| Coimbatore | Coimbatore Metro | DPR submitted by CMRL to Tamil Nadu government |
| Madurai | Madurai Metro | DPR prepared; Metrolite/Metro option under evaluation |
| Guwahati | Guwahati Metro | Proposed; alignment studies under way |
| Jammu | Jammu Metrolite | DPR prepared |
| Srinagar | Srinagar Metrolite | DPR prepared |
| Varanasi | Varanasi Metro / Ropeway | Metro DPR shelved in favour of urban ropeway; under review |
| Prayagraj | Prayagraj Metro | Proposed under UPMRC |
| Bareilly | Bareilly Metro | Feasibility study completed |
| Dehradun | Uttarakhand Metro Neo | Metro Neo DPR prepared by UKMRC |
| Delhi | Delhi Metrolite | Two corridors planned; under review |
| Chh. Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) | Aurangabad Metrolite | DPR prepared by Maha Metro |
| Warangal | Warangal Metro / Metrolite | Proposed |
| Amravati (AP Capital) | Amravati Metro | Proposed for the Andhra Pradesh capital region |
RRTS / Namo Bharat Corridors
The Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), branded Namo Bharat, is a 160 km/h regional rail network being developed by NCRTC to connect Delhi with NCR cities. The first corridor is fully operational; two more Phase 1 corridors are approved.
| Corridor | Length | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi–Ghaziabad–Meerut | 82.15 km (25 stations incl. Meerut Metro) | Fully operational since 22 February 2026; Meerut Metro (23 km) runs on the same infrastructure |
| Delhi–Gurugram–SNB–Alwar | 199 km (Phase-wise) | Approved; Sarai Kale Khan–SNB section prioritised |
| Delhi–Sonipat–Panipat | 103 km | Approved; awaiting construction sanction |
| Ghaziabad–Noida Airport (Jewar) | 72 km | Proposed; DPR approved by UP government |
High-Speed Rail (Bullet Train) Corridors
NHSRCL is building India’s first high-speed rail line between Mumbai and Ahmedabad using Japanese Shinkansen technology. Seven further corridors have been studied under the National Rail Plan:
| Corridor | Length | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Mumbai–Ahmedabad HSR (MAHSR) | 508.17 km | Under construction; Gujarat section targeted first |
| Delhi–Varanasi HSR | 865 km | Proposed; DPR submitted |
| Delhi–Ahmedabad HSR | 886 km | Proposed; DPR/surveys in progress |
| Delhi–Amritsar HSR | 465 km | Proposed |
| Mumbai–Nagpur HSR | 741 km | Proposed |
| Mumbai–Hyderabad HSR | 767 km | Proposed |
| Chennai–Bengaluru–Mysuru HSR | 463 km | Proposed |
| Varanasi–Howrah HSR | 760 km | Proposed |
| Hyderabad–Bengaluru HSR | 618 km | Proposed |
Other Regional Rapid Rail Projects
| Project | Length | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Nagpur Broad Gauge Metro | 78.8 km | Operational on Indian Railways tracks |
| Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor | 121.7 km | Under construction (HRIDC) |
| Pune–Nashik Semi High-Speed Rail | 234.6 km | Approved; alignment under revision |
| Hyderabad Airport Express Metro | 36.6 km (Nagole–RGIA) | Part of the 122.9 km Hyderabad Metro Phase 2 DPR; central sanction awaited |
| Ahmedabad–Rajkot Semi HSR | — | Proposed (G-RIDE) |
| Kerala SilverLine (K-Rail) | 530.6 km | Proposed; awaiting central clearance |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cities in India have an operational metro rail network in 2026?
As of July 2026, metro trains run in commercial service in 21 Indian cities, from Delhi and Mumbai to newer systems in Agra, Indore, Bhopal, Patna and Meerut. Counting NCR satellite systems separately, MoHUA puts the figure at 24 cities with about 1,090 km of operational metro lines.
What is the total operational metro rail length in India?
India has approximately 1,090 km of operational metro lines as of early 2026, according to MoHUA. This makes India’s metro network the third-largest in the world, and around 85 km of new lines were added in 2025 alone. Nearly 1,000 km more is under construction.
Which is the largest metro network in India?
Delhi Metro is India’s largest metro network at 374.5 km with 271 stations across 10 colour-coded lines, operated by DMRC. Mumbai Metro is second at about 101 km, followed by Bengaluru’s Namma Metro at 96.1 km and Kolkata Metro at 73.4 km.
Which was India’s first metro system?
Kolkata Metro was India’s first metro, opening in 1984 between Esplanade and Bhowanipur. It was followed by the Delhi Metro in 2002, which set the template for modern metro construction and financing adopted by every Indian city since.
What is the difference between metro and RRTS (Namo Bharat)?
A metro serves travel within a city, with closely spaced stations and speeds up to about 80–100 km/h. RRTS (Namo Bharat) is a regional semi-high-speed system designed for 100–200 km inter-city corridors, with fewer stops and operational speeds of 160 km/h. The Delhi–Ghaziabad–Meerut corridor is India’s first RRTS.
What is the status of India’s bullet train project?
The 508.17 km Mumbai–Ahmedabad High Speed Rail corridor is under construction by NHSRCL using Japanese Shinkansen technology. The Gujarat section is targeted to open first, and seven further corridors, including Delhi–Varanasi and Delhi–Ahmedabad, have been studied under the National Rail Plan.
Which is India’s fastest metro?
Meerut Metro, inaugurated on 22 February 2026, is India’s fastest metro with an operational speed of 120 km/h. It runs on the Delhi–Meerut Namo Bharat (RRTS) infrastructure — a first-of-its-kind arrangement in the country — covering 23 km with 13 stations.
Which Indian cities will get a metro next?
Surat is next: trial runs were held in April 2026 and services begin after CMRS safety clearance. Bhubaneswar and Thane are under construction, while Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Guwahati and several other cities have DPRs at various stages of approval.
How much does metro construction cost per km in India?
Elevated metro corridors typically cost around ₹250–350 crore per km, while underground sections cost roughly ₹600–900 crore per km, depending on geology, land and systems. Lighter modes such as Metrolite and Metro Neo are designed to cut this to under ₹150–250 crore per km for smaller cities.
How many metro projects are under construction in India?
Nearly 1,000 km of metro lines are under construction across India. This includes new networks in Surat, Bhubaneswar and Thane, plus major expansions such as Delhi Metro Phase IV, Chennai Metro Phase 2 (116.1 km), Bengaluru Phases 2 and 3, and multiple Mumbai Metro lines.
How to Use This Page
Each linked project page carries the corridor route map, station list, phases, key contractors, active tenders, and every news story we have published on that system. For rolling coverage, see our Metro Rail Projects news section and Tenders & Contracts. Network lengths marked “≈” are approximate operational figures as of July 2026; they change as new sections open and are verified against operator and MoHUA data with each update.
Spotted an update we’ve missed, or need data for research or business development? Write to us at editor@metrorailnews.in.
About this page: This overview is compiled and maintained by the Metro Rail News editorial team under Managing Editor Narendra Shah, who has covered India’s metro rail, railway, RRTS and high-speed rail sectors since 2014 — tracking project sanctions, tenders, contracts and commissioning milestones for a professional B2B readership of metro corporations, ministries, engineers and industry suppliers. Figures are cross-checked against MoHUA releases, PIB statements and metro operators’ official data, and the page is revised whenever a new section opens or a project is sanctioned.