India's metro system has become the third largest in the world. The metro rail network in the country now stretches to 1000 km, which places it after China and the United States in size. This growth shows how quickly India is improving its public transportation, especially in cities.

PM Modi inaugurated a new Namo Bharat corridor section.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will open a new part of the Namo Bharat Corridor in Delhi. This new 13-kilometre stretch connects Sahibabad in Uttar Pradesh to New Ashok Nagar in Delhi, helping improve metro service in the capital and nearby areas. The opening ceremony performed around 11 am, and metro services started at 5 pm on Sunday. Trains will run every 15 minutes. The fare from New Ashok Nagar to Meerut South will be Rs 150 for the standard coach and Rs 225 for the premium coach.

This new section includes a 6 km underground stretch, and Anand Vihar station is one of the major stops. Anand Vihar will be the first underground station on this corridor, making it easier for passengers.

Rapid expansion of metro networks across India

Over the last ten years, India’s metro system has grown a lot. More states have metro services, increasing from five to eleven. The number of cities with metro connections has also risen from five to 23. This growth can be seen in the number of people using the metro every day. In 2014, 28 lakh people used the metro daily, and now, in 2024, that number has increased to more than one crore, which is two and a half times more than before.

Moreover, the distance covered by metro trains has tripled over the last decade, rising from 86,000 kilometres to 2.75 lakh kilometres. The expansion of the metro network has not only helped with daily commutes but has also played a role in improving "ease of living" for people. As PM Modi shared on X, “Over the last decade, extensive work has been done in boosting metro connectivity, thus strengthening urban transport and enhancing ‘Ease of Living.'."

Metro timeline: Key milestones

India’s metro journey began in 1984 with the first metro line in Kolkata, covering 3.4 km. Here’s a timeline showing major metro milestones:

  • 1984: The first metro line opens in Kolkata between Esplanade and Bhowanipur.
  • 1995: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is set up, and the first DMRC corridor is opened in 2002.
  • 2002: Delhi’s first metro route between Shahdara and Tis Hazari begins operations.
  • 2011: Namma Metro (Bengaluru) opens its first segment.
  • 2017: Chennai Metro opens its first underground section.
  • 2020: Kochi Metro starts its operations with the Thykoodam-Petta stretch.

As India’s metro system continues to grow, the country now stands as a global leader in urban metro systems, aiming to provide improved transportation solutions and a better quality of life for millions of its citizens.

About the Namo Bharat Corridor

The Namo Bharat trains have already carried more than 50 lakh people, showing how important this metro line is for people in Delhi and nearby areas. Work on other parts of the metro, like the New Ashok Nagar to Sarai Kale Khan and Meerut South to Modipuram sections, is moving quickly. This will make travelling even easier.

To help people and vehicles move around smoothly at the Anand Vihar underground station, three bridges have been built over the Ghazipur drain. This shows that the new metro line has been well planned.

This expansion is a big step for India, as metro systems continue to improve public transport in the country.