India Becomes World’s Third‑Largest Metro Network | 26 Mar 2026

Why in News? 

India has emerged as the world’s third-largest metro rail network, reflecting the rapid expansion of urban public transport infrastructure across the country. 

Key Points 

• Network Size: India now has over 1,143 km of operational metro lines spread across 29 cities, making it the third-largest metro network in the world. 
  • China has the largest metro network in the world, while the United States ranks second. 
• Under Construction: Approximately 936 km of metro lines are under construction, which will further enhance urban connectivity. 
• Major Cities Covered: Metro services are operational in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Pune, Jaipur, and others. 
• Government Initiatives: The expansion is part of the Smart Cities Mission and Urban Transport Policy, aiming to improve urban mobility, reduce travel time, and enhance commuter safety. 
  • The Metro Rail Policy 2017 mandates cities to prepare Comprehensive Mobility Plans (CMPs) and establish Urban Metropolitan Transport Authorities (UMTAs) to guide the development of metro systems with a strong emphasis on sustainability, economic viability, and integrated urban mobility.  
• Technology: Modern metros incorporate driverless trains, automated signalling, energy-efficient operations, and integrated ticketing systems. 
• Environmental Impact: Metro systems contribute to lower carbon emissions, reduced road traffic, and promotion of sustainable urban transport. 
• Historical Facts:  
  • The first metro railway in India is the Kolkata Metro, which began operations on 24th October , 1984. 
  • The Delhi Metro was launched on 24th December 2002. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) was established in 1995. 
  • First underwater metro tunnel was launched in 2024 in Kolkata. 
  • Kochi, Kerala, has become India’s first city to launch a Water Metro. 
  • One Nation, One Card for transport mobility has also been launched.