NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): India’s Metro rail network has reached around 1,170 km across 26 cities and could surpass the United States within the next two years, Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal said on Saturday. The minister said India now stands just 216 km behind the US, which has a Metro rail network of around 1,386 km. China remains far ahead with an urban rail network of nearly 8,000 km.
Manohar Lal made the remarks after inaugurating the extended Indore Metro corridor along with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
India targets second position in global metro ranking
The Union minister said India’s rapid expansion in Metro infrastructure could push the country ahead of the US in terms of operational Metro network length within two years. He said Metro services in India have expanded significantly over the last decade.In 2014, Metro services operated on around 245 km across five cities. The network has now grown to approximately 1,170 km across 26 cities.
India’s Metro network growth
- 2014: 245 km across 5 cities
- 2026: Around 1,170 km across 26 cities
- US Metro network: Around 1,386 km
- Gap with the US: Around 216 km
- China’s Metro network: Around 8,000 km
The minister said India could become the world’s second-largest country by Metro network length after China if the current pace of expansion continues.
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Indore Metro expansion
The remarks came during the inauguration of the extended Indore Metro service. It is built at an estimated cost of ₹2,850 crore. Indore Metro earlier operated on a roughly 6-km priority section between Gandhi Nagar and Super Corridor 3. Passenger operations have now expanded to a 17-km corridor between Gandhi Nagar and Malviya Nagar Chauraha. The extended service covers 16 stations and connects several residential and commercial areas. Metro trains will run every 15 minutes, with more than 80 trips scheduled daily. Services will operate from 9 am to 7 pm, with the first trains departing from both ends at 9 am.
Metro expansion linked to ease of living
Manohar Lal Khattar also mentioned that Metro projects should not be viewed only as transport infrastructure. He said wider public transport networks can improve daily mobility and support the broader goal of improving urban quality of life. The government has continued to expand Metro systems into new cities while extending existing networks in major urban centres.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said the Indore Metro could eventually extend towards Ujjain and other nearby areas as the region’s transport infrastructure develops. He also highlighted the proposed ₹18,500 crore Indore-Manmad railway line, which is expected to strengthen rail connectivity between Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Also Read: Manohar Lal Khattar & CM Mohan Yadav Inaugurates Extended Indore Metro Corridor