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India could overtake the United States in terms of total metro rail network length within the next two years, Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal said.
Speaking after inaugurating a new metro rail corridor in Indore on Saturday (September 5), Lal said the United States currently has around 1,386 kilometres of metro rail, while India’s network has reached approximately 1,170 kilometres following the opening of the new Indore line.
This leaves India just 216 kilometres behind the US. China remains far ahead, with nearly 8,000 kilometres of operational metro rail.
Lal highlighted the rapid expansion of India’s metro network since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office in 2014. At that time, metro services were available in only five Indian cities, covering around 245 kilometres. Today, metro rail operates across 26 cities.
He said metro rail not only improves transportation but also makes people’s daily lives easier and more comfortable.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who attended the inauguration, said the new metro corridor would transform Indore. He added that the network could eventually be extended to Ujjain and other nearby cities.
Yadav also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for approving a new major railway line connecting Indore with Manmad, which is expected to improve connectivity among Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Previously, Indore’s metro service operated on a six-kilometre stretch. With the latest expansion, the network has grown to 17 kilometres, with 16 stations connecting major markets, commercial areas and residential neighbourhoods.
The metro will operate from 9am to 7pm, with trains running every 15 minutes. More than 80 trips are expected to be made each day. Source NDTV.
