Union Minister Khattar Highlights India’s Rapid Metro Expansion Across 24 Cities

Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar announced that India is poised to surpass the United States in the total length of operational metro rail networks within the next two to three years, underscoring the nation's accelerated push toward world-class urban mobility infrastructure. This projection comes amid a dramatic expansion that has transformed India's urban transport landscape in just two decades.

In 2004-05, metro rail services were confined to a mere five cities across India, but today they span 24 urban centers with a combined operational length of 1,100 kilometers, placing the country in close pursuit of the United States' existing 1,400-kilometer network. Khattar emphasized that while the US and China previously dominated global metro development, India's current pace of implementation has positioned it as a formidable contender in sustainable urban transit.

The minister's remarks were delivered during a high-level meeting in Hyderabad focused on Telangana's urban development priorities, where the Central government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the state's ambitious infrastructure agenda. Key initiatives include the expansion of Hyderabad's metro rail Phase-2, the redevelopment of the Musi riverfront, and the diversion of the Godavari river to address water scarcity, all aimed at bolstering economic growth in one of India's fastest-urbanizing regions.

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Further discussions highlighted Telangana's plan to assume direct control of the Hyderabad Metro Rail by terminating its existing agreement with Larsen & Toubro and transitioning to a public-private partnership model with Central involvement. A comprehensive feasibility study for an additional 162 kilometers of new metro lines is slated for completion by March 2026, with similar considerations underway for enhanced networks in Mumbai and Pune to alleviate congestion in these economic powerhouses.

This strategic urban thrust aligns with broader national goals, as projections indicate that cities and towns will account for 80 percent of India's GDP by 2050, necessitating robust investments in transit, sanitation, and environmental remediation. The Central government has pledged financial assistance under schemes like AMRUT and the Urban Challenge Fund for sewerage treatment plants and the cleanup of 214 major legacy dumpsites under the Swachh Bharat Mission, ensuring holistic progress in urban livability and sustainability.

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