India becomes world’s 3rd-largest metro network with 1,000 km milestone
India now boasts the third-largest metro network in the world, with the metro rail system expanding to over 1,000 km. This milestone places India behind only China and the United States in metro connectivity. On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate two significant extensions: Delhi Metro’s Magenta Line and a 13-km stretch of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor.
Metro network growth over the last decade
Over the past 10 years, India’s metro connectivity has seen remarkable growth:
- States with metro services increased from 5 to 11.
- Cities benefiting from metro systems rose from 5 to 23.
- Daily passenger commutes surged from 28 lakh in 2014 to over 1 crore, reflecting a 2.5x increase.
- Metro trains now travel over 2.75 lakh kilometers daily, tripling from 86,000 kilometers in 2014.
Prime Minister Modi highlighted this achievement on X, stating: “Over the last decade, extensive work has been done in boosting metro connectivity, thus strengthening urban transport and enhancing ‘Ease of Living.’”
Over the last decade, extensive work has been done in boosting metro connectivity, thus strengthening urban transport and enhancing ‘Ease of Living.’#MetroRevolutionInIndia https://t.co/zfcr37TyFK
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 5, 2025
PM Modi to inaugurate Namo Bharat Corridor
The Prime Minister will inaugurate the additional 13 km section of the Namo Bharat Corridor between Sahibabad in Uttar Pradesh and New Ashok Nagar in Delhi. The event is scheduled for 11 am, with passenger operations commencing at 5 pm on the same day. Trains will operate at a frequency of 15 minutes.
Key details about the newly inaugurated section:
- The corridor includes a six-km underground segment, featuring the Anand Vihar station.
- Fares: Rs.150 for a standard coach and Rs.225 for a premium coach between New Ashok Nagar and Meerut South.
- Travel time from Anand Vihar to Meerut South: Just 35 minutes.
This section marks the first time Namo Bharat trains will operate underground, enhancing connectivity and travel efficiency.
Namo Bharat Corridor’s impact
Since its launch, Namo Bharat trains have served over 50 lakh commuters. Construction is rapidly progressing on other sections, including New Ashok Nagar-Sarai Kale Khan and Meerut South-Modipuram.
Anand Vihar station, one of the largest on the corridor, features special arrangements for vehicle and pedestrian movement:
Three bridges were built over the Ghazipur drain, two for vehicles and one for pedestrians.
A new era of urban mobility
The Delhi Metro and Namo Bharat extensions are part of a broader effort to strengthen urban transport systems in India, ensuring faster commutes, enhanced convenience, and sustainable urban growth.
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Biggest or smallest is not a feat, whether is profitable, running in time, is it secured & safe ? It the debt incurred in its construction is getting reduced ?
Hyderabad airport has XXX million passengers – they boast, when it is the worst airport by any charminar yardstick.
So do not go by big or small….they are misnomer & hide truth behind it.