India’s Expanding Metro Network: A National and Global Impact
India is rapidly expanding its metro rail network, poised to become the second largest in the world. This significant growth is fueled by substantial investments and innovative technological advancements, transforming urban mobility across the nation and attracting international attention.
On January 5th, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated several key projects in Delhi, underscoring this ambitious expansion. These initiatives, totaling over Rs 12,200 crore, included a 13 km stretch of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut rapid rail corridor, a 2.8 km extension of the Delhi Metro Phase-IV serving West Delhi, and the foundation laying for the 26.5 km Rithala-Kundli section connecting Delhi and Haryana. These projects, serving over 1 crore daily passengers, represent a major step forward in improving commuter transport and reducing congestion in major cities.
India’s journey to becoming a global metro leader began with the establishment of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) in 1995. The DMRC’s first corridor, connecting Shahdara and Tis Hazari in 2002, marked the beginning of a nationwide expansion. Subsequent milestones include the launch of Namma Metro in Bengaluru (2011), the Chennai Metro’s first underground section (2017), and the completion of Kochi Metro’s Phase 1 (2020). This growth has propelled India past Japan in 2022, currently holding the third position globally in operational metro network length.
Beyond traditional metro lines, India is pioneering innovative solutions. This includes the country’s first underwater metro tunnel in Kolkata (inaugurated in 2024), the first driverless metro service on Delhi’s Magenta Line (launched December 28, 2020), and Kochi’s pioneering Water Metro project, connecting islands via electric hybrid boats (first boat launched December 2021). Further expansion is underway, with new projects approved in Bengaluru (44 km), Thane (29 km), and Pune (5.5 km), emphasizing sustainable urban transportation.
This success is not confined to India’s borders. The DMRC’s expertise is in high demand internationally. The corporation is currently involved in Bangladesh’s metro system and has provided consultancy services to Jakarta. Furthermore, countries like Israel, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, and El Salvador are exploring collaborations with the DMRC for their own metro development projects. This global interest highlights India’s emergence as a leader in metro rail technology and implementation.