India Could Overtake US in Metro Rail Network Length Within Two Years: Manohar Lal
New Delhi— India’s metro rail network could surpass that of the United States within the next two years, Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs Manohar Lal said on Saturday, highlighting the rapid expansion of mass transit infrastructure across the country.
Speaking after inaugurating the extended metro rail service in Indore, Lal said India’s operational metro network has now grown to 1,170 km across 26 cities, putting it 216 km behind the United States, whose network stands at approximately 1,386 km.
“With the extended Indore line, India’s metro rail network has reached 1,170 km,” the minister said.
“I think in the next two years, we will overtake the US and become the world’s second-largest country in terms of metro rail network after China,” he added.
China currently has approximately 8,000 km of metro rail lines, according to the minister.
Metro network has expanded rapidly since 2014
Lal pointed to the rapid growth of India’s metro infrastructure over the past decade.
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office in 2014, metro rail services were operational across just 245 km in five cities, he said.
That network has since expanded to 1,170 km covering 26 cities, reflecting the government’s push to expand urban mass transportation.
Lal said metro rail should not be viewed merely as a means of transportation but as an important component of improving people’s “ease of living.”
He linked the expansion of metro systems to India’s broader development ambitions and the goal of building a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047.
Indore metro extension inaugurated
The minister’s remarks came as the extended Indore metro service was inaugurated.
Built at a cost of approximately Rs 2,850 crore, the newly extended corridor will operate along a 17-km route between Gandhi Nagar and Malviya Nagar Chauraha.
The metro had previously been operating commercially on a six-km section between Gandhi Nagar and Super Corridor-3.
Under the expanded service, the first trains will depart from both ends of the corridor at 9 a.m. daily, while the last services will run at 7 p.m.
Trains will operate at 15-minute intervals, with more than 80 trips scheduled each day.
The expansion is expected to improve connectivity across Indore and provide residents with an additional public transportation option as the city continues to grow.
With metro systems expanding in cities across India, the country is steadily closing the gap with the United States. If the pace of expansion continues as projected by the minister, India could soon become the world’s second-largest metro rail network after China. (Source: IANS)
