India set to become country to the World’s Second-Largest Metro Rail Network

New Delhi, India (Urban Transport News): India is poised to soon possess the second-largest metro network in the world, as revealed by Shri Manohar Lal, the Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs and Power, during his address at a consultative committee meeting of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). The meeting focused on urban transport issues, highlighting the government's ongoing efforts to address the challenges posed by India’s rapidly growing urban population.

In his speech, Shri Manohar Lal stressed the importance of enhancing urban mobility, acknowledging that expanding and improving the urban transport infrastructure is crucial to accommodate the country’s increasing urban population. He outlined the government’s commitment to strengthening the urban transport network across the nation, particularly focusing on the metro system.

The Minister shared impressive figures, noting that approximately 993 kilometers of metro rail are already operational across 23 cities in India. Furthermore, an additional 997 kilometers of metro rail are currently under construction in 28 cities. With these developments, India is on track to become home to the world’s second-largest metro network, further reinforcing the nation’s focus on modernizing urban transport.

The consultative committee meeting saw the participation of several prominent parliamentarians, including Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Shri Dinesh Sharma, Shri Ajay Makan, Ms Kamaljeet Sherawat, Shri P.N. Vasava, Prof V.E. Gaikwad, Ms Kavita Patidar, Shri B.M. Sutariya, Shri V.E. Vaithilingam, Shri G. Lakshminarayana, Shri Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, and Shri Y. Chandolia. The Urban Transport Division of MoHUA presented an extensive overview of the country’s metro rail policies and ongoing metro projects.

The members were briefed about the Metro Rail Policy 2017, which has been instrumental in the expansion of metro systems in major cities across India. Notable metro networks such as the Delhi Metro, Jaipur Metro, Patna Metro, and Lucknow Metro were discussed during the session. Additionally, the meeting covered the ongoing Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) projects, including their funding models and strategic importance.

One of the key discussions focused on the government’s initiatives to promote the indigenization of metro technologies under the Make in India initiative and support the vision of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India). The government is keen on ensuring that technology used in metro systems across India is developed locally, contributing to both economic growth and technological advancement.

Another major topic of discussion was the PM-eBus Sewa, a flagship scheme aimed at augmenting city bus operations with the deployment of 10,000 electric buses (e-buses) under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. This initiative is expected to play a significant role in reducing the carbon footprint of urban transport systems. The salient features of the scheme include:

• Deployment of 10,000 e-buses
• 10 years of operational support for bus services
• Development and upgrading of bus depots
• Creation of necessary power infrastructure behind-the-meter
• Coverage of cities with populations ranging from 3 to 40 lakh

The meeting also highlighted the progress of the One Nation One Card initiative, a project launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in March 2019. This indigenously developed National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) aims to streamline public transport services, enabling seamless travel across metro, rail, bus, and other public transport networks. The NCMC is an integral part of India's vision to simplify and unify travel experiences across various modes of transportation.

During the meeting, Members of Parliament raised concerns and suggestions related to various aspects of urban mobility. These included issues surrounding last-mile connectivity, enhancement of passenger amenities, and the scaling up of metro services in their constituencies. They also expressed interest in improving ease of travel and passenger comfort in metro systems.

In response to the concerns raised, Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal directed the officials to review the suggestions made by the parliamentarians and provide the necessary information and solutions to address their queries.

With the ongoing investments in metro rail projects, the expansion of the electric bus fleet, and the development of integrated transport solutions, India is well on its way to creating a world-class urban transport network. Shri Manohar Lal’s address underscored the government’s commitment to improving urban mobility, which is expected to not only ease congestion but also contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable urban environment. As India looks to become a global leader in urban transport, these initiatives are key to shaping the future of cities and urban living across the nation.