Archive · 6 Sep 2026
India Likely to Overtake US in Metro Rail Network
India is building metro train lines very quickly.
Its working metro lines now cover 1,170 kilometres in 26 cities.
The United States has 1,386 kilometres, so India is 216 kilometres behind.
Minister Manohar Lal said India may pass the United States within two years.
China is still ahead, with about 8,000 kilometres of metro lines.
India’s network has grown from 245 kilometres in five cities in 2014.
In Indore, a longer metro route now connects more parts of the city.
Trains will come every 15 minutes, although reports give slightly different measurements for the new route.
India’s operational metro network has reached 1,170 km across 26 cities, compared with 1,386 km in the United States.
Union Minister Manohar Lal said India could overtake the United States within two years and become the world’s second-largest network after China.
India’s network has grown from 245 km across five cities in 2014; nearly 900 km is reportedly under construction or advanced planning.
The extended Indore metro service connects Gandhi Nagar with Malviya Nagar Chauraha at a reported cost of Rs 2,850 crore.
Indore trains will run every 15 minutes from 9 am to 7 pm, with more than 80 daily trips; reports differ on whether the route is 17 km or 17.5 km.
- Who
- Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal made the projection; Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav attended the Indore inauguration.
- What
- India’s metro network reached 1,170 km, and the minister said it could overtake the United States within two years.
- When
- The announcement and inauguration took place on Saturday; the projected overtaking could occur within two years.
- Where
- The announcement was made in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, during the inauguration of an extended metro route.
- Why
- Lal linked metro expansion to easier daily travel and the goal of building “Viksit Bharat” by 2047.
- India’s metro network
- 1,170 km across 26 cities
- United States network
- 1,386 km
- China’s network
- About 8,000 km
- India’s 2014 network
- 245 km across five cities
- Indore extension cost
- Rs 2,850 crore
- Indore route
- Between Gandhi Nagar and Malviya Nagar Chauraha; reports describe it as 17 km or 17.5 km
- Indore schedule
- Every 15 minutes from 9 am to 7 pm, with more than 80 daily trips
- Future metro pipeline
- Nearly 900 km is under construction or in advanced planning, according to one report
