India On Track To Soon Overtake US In Metro Network Length, Says Manohar Lal Khattar

Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar asserted on Saturday that India is on the verge of overtaking the United States to become the world’s second-largest metro rail network. Speaking at the inauguration of the priority corridor of the Bhopal Metro’s Orange Line, the minister highlighted that India currently ranks third globally, trailing only China and the US. With the successful launch of the nearly 7-km stretch in Bhopal, India’s operational metro network has expanded to approximately 1,090 km across 26 cities.

The minister provided a comparative roadmap for this infrastructural leap, noting that the United States currently maintains a total metro length of around 1,400 km. With approximately 900 km of metro projects

currently in the pipeline or under construction across various Indian cities, Khattar expressed confidence that India will bridge the 310-km gap and surpass the US within the next two to three years. This rapid expansion is a stark contrast to the state of urban mobility two decades ago when metro services were limited to just five cities.

Bhopal has now become the second city in Madhya Pradesh, after Indore, to offer metro services. The newly inaugurated priority corridor, built at an estimated cost of Rs 2,225 crore, features eight elevated stations connecting key commercial and residential hubs. This project is part of a larger Rs 10,033 crore phase-1 plan for the city. Beyond mere connectivity, the minister emphasised that the metro serves as a critical tool for environmental sustainability, contributing to India’s goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2070. By encouraging a shift from private vehicles to public transit, the government aims to significantly reduce urban air pollution and traffic congestion.

Officials say the growth of India’s metro network is also backed by a strong focus on self-reliance. Under the “Make in India” initiative, approximately 75% of metro coaches and a significant portion of signalling equipment are now being manufactured domestically. As daily ridership across the country exceeds 1.2 crore passengers, the ministry is further prioritising last-mile connectivity through electric buses and seamless multi-modal integration.