- By Imran Zafar
- Wed, 02 Oct 2024 12:10 AM (IST)
- Source:ANI
India’s metro rail network is poised to surpass the United States in the next 3-4 years, becoming the second-largest globally, according to Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Tokhan Sahu. In an interview, Sahu explained that India's network will expand significantly, trailing only China, whose metro infrastructure exceeds 8,000 kilometres.
Currently, India operates 973 kilometres of metro lines across 23 cities and the government is focused on improving urban transport. Within the first 100 days of the current administration, three metro projects totalling Rs 31,000 crore were approved: Bengaluru Metro Phase-3, the Thane Internal Ring Road Metro, and the southern extension of the Pune Metro.
India’s metro network has grown substantially since 2014 when it spanned only 248 kilometers in five cities. Over the past decade, 750 kilometres have been added. Additionally, 985 kilometres of metro lines are under construction, making India the third-largest metro network after China and the US, with over 10 million daily passengers.
Sahu also mentioned the Detailed Project Report (DPR) submission for the Namo Bharat Metro Rail Project from Uttar Pradesh. He stressed that metro projects are cost-intensive and require Central Government evaluation for feasibility and resource allocation.
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Delhi Metro is also set for expansion, with Phase 5 expected to add 350 kilometres and enhance connectivity across Noida, Gurgaon, Faridabad, and other NCR areas. The Rithala-Kondli metro project, recently approved by the Delhi government, will soon commence after delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these challenges, metro construction continues swiftly, with Sahu praising the Delhi Metro's efficiency in project completion.
(With ANI Inputs)