Metro network in India crosses 1,090 km across 26 cities

India’s metro rail network has crossed a significant milestone, extending beyond 1,090 km of operational track across 26 cities. The expansion underscores the growing role of urban mass transit in easing congestion, cutting travel time and reducing pollution in rapidly growing cities.

The latest addition came with Bhopal joining the metro map on December 21, becoming the 26th city to operate metro services.

Metro network in India: Delhi leads, southern cities close behind

Delhi continues to dominate the country’s metro landscape, operating a network of around 353 km across 257 stations, making it one of the most extensive metro systems in the world.

Bengaluru follows with about 96 km of operational lines, while Mumbai has reached roughly 80 km. Other major contributors include Kolkata and Hyderabad, both of which have steadily expanded their networks over the past decade to serve growing urban populations.

Despite this progress, commuter demand remains intense, particularly in cities where daily ridership far outpaces network capacity.

Bhopal entry highlights next phase of expansion

Bhopal became the newest entrant with the launch of its 7 km Orange Line. The system features AI-based surveillance, modern signalling and stations designed with accessibility in mind, reflecting a shift towards technology-driven and inclusive urban transport.

The addition signals a broader push to extend metro services beyond megacities into state capitals and tier-two urban centres, where traffic congestion is rising sharply.

Over 900 km under construction, delivery pace questioned

More than 900 km of metro lines are currently under construction across the country, pointing to a substantial expansion pipeline. However, commuters in cities such as Bengaluru continue to press for faster execution, arguing that delays have left critical corridors underserved.

Smaller cities like Coimbatore have also seen growing public pressure for quicker rollouts to bridge connectivity gaps and bring their systems closer to global standards in coverage and reliability.

Key facts about India's metro network:

• Rapid expansion: The network has grown exponentially, with the pace of commissioning new lines increasing nine times compared to pre-2014 rates.
• National reach: Metro services are operational not only in major metropolitan areas but also in Tier-2 cities such as Agra, Bhopal, Indore, Jaipur, Kanpur, Kochi, Lucknow, Nagpur, Pune and Surat.
• Future growth: Approximately 900 km of metro projects are currently in the pipeline or under construction across various cities.
• Global standing: With the current pace of expansion, India is on track to surpass the United States (which has around 1,400 km of metro network) within the next two to three years to become the world's second-largest metro network.

Urban mobility challenge remains unfinished

While crossing the 1,090 km mark highlights the scale of the nation’s metro ambitions, the challenge now lies in timely completion, last-mile connectivity and operational efficiency. As urbanisation accelerates, the success of the country’s metro networks will increasingly be judged not just by kilometres laid, but by how effectively they integrate into everyday city life.