India’s Metro Rail Network Surpasses 1,000 km, Becoming World’s Third Largest

As of January 2025, India has achieved a significant milestone by expanding its metro rail network to over 1,000 kilometers of operational lines, positioning it as the third-largest in the world, following China and the United States.

Historical Development

Kolkata Metro Initiation (1984): India’s journey into metro rail transit began with the Kolkata Metro in 1984, marking the country’s first foray into urban rapid transit systems.

Delhi Metro Expansion (2002): The inauguration of the Delhi Metro in 2002 signified a major advancement, introducing a modern and extensive metro system that has since become India’s largest, with an operational network of 395 km.

Recent Milestones

Delhi Metro Phase-IV Extension (January 2024): Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a 2.8 km stretch between Janakpuri and Krishna Park, contributing to the network’s ex

Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS (January 2024): The 13 km segment of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), known as the Namo Bharat corridor, was opened, enhancing regional

Kolkata Underwater Metro (March 2024): Kolkata introduced India’s first underwater metro line beneath the Hooghly River, featuring a 520-meter tunnel traversed in 45 seconds, showcasing engineerin

Current Status and Future Prospects

Operational Reach: Metro services are now operational in 11 states and 23 cities across India, collectively covering over 1,000 km.

An additional 998+ km of metro projects are currently underway, indicating a strong commitment to further expanding urban transit infrastructure.

Summary of the news

Key Point	Details
Why in News	India achieved over 1,000 km of operational metro rail network, becoming the world’s third-largest metro system after China and the US.
First Indian Metro System	Kolkata Metro, inaugurated in 1984, was India’s first metro rail system.
Largest Metro Network in India	Delhi Metro, operational since 2002, spans 395 km.
States with Metro Rail Services	Metro services operate in 11 states and 23 cities.
Recent Milestones	– Delhi Metro Phase-IV: Janakpuri to Krishna Park extension (2.8 km).
	– Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS: Namo Bharat corridor (13 km operational).
	– Kolkata Metro: First underwater metro beneath the Hooghly River (520 meters).
Future Expansion	Over 998 km of metro projects are currently under construction in India.
Top Metro Systems Globally	India ranks third, following China and the United States.