Daily Metro Passenger Count: India has become the world’s third-largest metro system in terms of network expansion. In 2014, just 5 cities had 248 km of metro network. By May 2025, 23 cities operated 1,013 km of metro lines. The government, under the Make in India initiative, took decisive steps to boost local production and promote self-reliance in the railway sector. Over the last ten years, India invested about ₹2.5 lakh crore in expanding its metro network. This investment fueled local manufacturing of metro coaches, leading to the production of more than 2,000 units. Bharat Earth Movers Limited, a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, supplied over 2,000 metro coaches to cities like Delhi, Jaipur, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Mumbai by May 2024.

A source of livelihood for travelers:

The number of metro passengers is increasing day by day. With the help of the metro, most people’s trouble of travelling in the city has reduced a lot. In 2013-14, an average of 28 lakh people travelled in the metro every day. Now this number has increased to 1.12 crore per day. This has also helped in reducing traffic jams and pollution in cities.

Fast Development:

The construction of new lines is also increasing rapidly. The average speed of metro construction was 0.68 km per month before 2014, but now it has increased to 6 km per month. Budget allocations have also increased rapidly from Rs. 5,798 crore in 2013-14 to Rs. 34,807 crore in 2025-26.

Government Policies – Make in India

The Metro Rail Policy, which came into effect in 2017, has significantly accelerated projects. Under this policy, cities must prepare a comprehensive mobility plan and set up an Urban Metro Transport Authority. Furthermore, it makes a minimum fiscal internal rate of return of 14 percent mandatory for central assistance and public-private partnerships. In line with the Make in India initiative, the policy also requires manufacturers to produce 75 percent of metro cars and 25 percent of equipment within the country.

Also Read: Train Ticket Booking Made Easy: IRCTC Launches New App

Technological – Environmental Innovations

⦿ Underwater Metro: The underwater metro tunnel under the Hooghly River in Kolkata will stretch for 520 meters.

⦿ Water Metro: Kochi in Kerala became the first city in the country to introduce a water metro.

⦿ Green Initiatives: Solar Power Stations, Regenerative Braking, IGBC Certified Stations.

⦿ Digital Transformation: NCMC Card, QR Code Ticketing, Driverless Metro, Indigenous I-ATS System.

Project Work Completion:

In the future, metro authorities are focusing on completing the Pune Metro Phase 2, the Delhi Metro Expansion, and the Ahmedabad and Hyderabad Airport Connectivity projects. Moreover, these projects are going to be completed at a rapid pace. In addition, there are a few water metro schemes in 24 other cities. As a result, the country’s metro network has become more than just a means of transport; it has also emerged as a symbol of modern, clean, and rapid urban development. Looking ahead, by 2030, this network is expected to expand on a much larger scale. Ultimately, this will completely change the face of traffic in Indian cities.

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