India on Track to Overtake US in Metro Rail Length – India is moving fast in building metro trains. The Modi Government has said that the country is now very close to overtaking the United States in total metro rail length. With five big projects under progress, nearly 1,000 km of new metro lines will be added in the next few years. This will put India ahead of the US and make it the second-largest metro network in the world, after China.
How Much Metro India Has Today
Right now, India has around 1,065 km of metro rail working across 20+ cities. This includes big networks like Delhi Metro, Bengaluru Metro, Hyderabad Metro, Chennai Metro, and smaller ones like Lucknow, Kochi, Jaipur, Nagpur and more.
In 2014, India had only 250 km of metro lines. In just 10 years, the network has grown more than four times. This shows how fast metro projects are moving.
Today, more than 1 crore (10 million) people travel daily on different metro systems in India. In 2014, only about 28 lakh (2.8 million) people used it every day. This shows that metro has become a lifeline for cities.
The 5 Big Projects Adding 1,000 km – India on Track to Overtake US in Metro Rail Length
The government has announced that five new projects will add about 955 km of metro lines. Some of these include:
- Delhi Metro expansions – New lines and extensions across NCR.
- Regional projects like the Delhi–Meerut corridor and Meerut Metro.
- Indore and Bhopal Metro – Central India is getting metro systems.
- Pune Metro expansion – Connecting more parts of the city.
- Metro-lite and Metro-neo projects – Smaller versions of metro in tier-2 cities.
When these are ready, India’s total metro length will go beyond 2,000 km, leaving the US behind.
Where the US Stands
The United States has famous metro systems like New York Subway, Washington Metro, Chicago L, and others. Together, they make about 1,400 km of metro lines.
India is already close with 1,065 km. Once the upcoming 955 km is completed, India will easily cross the US figure and become No. 2 in the world after China.
Source: Economic Times
Why Metro Growth is Important for India
Metro trains are not just about travelling. They change the way cities work. Here are some big benefits:
- Less traffic jams – Metro helps people avoid road traffic.
- Cleaner air – Metro runs on electricity, so less pollution.
- Saves time – Travel is much faster compared to cars and buses.
- Better economy – Metro projects create jobs and boost real estate.
- City development – Metro stations become centres for shops, offices, and houses.
This is why the metro is called a game changer for Indian cities.
Challenges in Building Metro
Even though metro expansion is fast, there are also challenges:
- Land problems – Getting land for stations and tracks is not easy.
- High cost – Metro projects need a lot of money.
- Construction delays – Big projects often get delayed.
- Integration with other transport – People need good bus, auto, and cab links with metro.
The government is trying to solve these issues by using Make in India trains, faster construction methods, and new designs like Metro-lite.
When Will India Overtake the US?
Looking at the speed of work, India is expected to overtake the US between 2027 and 2030. Some projects like Meerut and Indore metros are already doing trial runs, while Delhi and Pune expansions are going on at full pace.
If all projects move without long delays, India’s metro length will cross 2,000 km in just a few years.
Conclusion
India’s metro journey is a story of fast growth. From 250 km in 2014 to more than 1,000 km today, and now aiming to cross 2,000 km soon, metro has become the future of Indian cities.
With this, India will soon overtake the United States and stand just behind China in the global metro race. The “Metro Revolution” is not only about trains — it is about creating faster, cleaner, and better-connected cities for millions of Indians.
