India Set To Overtake US Metro Network In Two Years: Minister
· India · NDTV, Times of India
Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal said after inaugurating Indore's metro extension that India's network has reached 1,170 km, just 216 km behind the US at 1,386 km, and expects India to overtake it within two years. The expanded Indore line, built at a cost of Rs 2,850 crore, now runs 17 km between Gandhi Nagar and Malviya Narora Chauraha, up from the original six-km stretch. Lal noted that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office in 2014, metro rail operated on 245 km across five cities, a figure that has grown to 26 cities. He linked metro expansion to the goal of building 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047 and cited China's roughly 8,000 km network as the global benchmark. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said the service will eventually extend to Ujjain and thanked the Prime Minister for approving the Rs 18,500-crore Indore-Manmad railway line. The first trains on the extended Indore route depart from both ends daily at 9 am.
Why it matters
India's rapid metro expansion affects daily commuters in 26 cities and signals accelerating public transport investment, with the Indore extension improving connectivity to nearby regions including planned links to Ujjain.
Read the original report — NDTV
Join us on Telegram
Breaking news the moment it lands. At 10,000 members we ship the Android app.