India has made a big jump in terms of metro network expansion and formed the third largest metro system in the world. In 2014, where there was a 248 km metro network in only 5 cities, it has increased to 1,013 km in 23 cities by May 2025. During this period, about 2.5 lakh crore rupees were invested and more than 2,000 metro coaches were manufactured in the country under Make in India.
The expansion of the metro network has also had a direct impact on the number of passengers. In 2013-14, where on an average, 28 lakh people used the metro daily, now this number has increased to 1.12 crore per day. It has also helped in reducing traffic jams and pollution.
Before 2014, the average speed of metro construction was 0.68 kilometers per month, which has now become about 6 kilometers per month. Budget allocation has also increased rapidly-from Rs 5,798 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 34,807 crore in 2025-26.
The Metro Rail Policy, implemented in 2017, played an important role in speeding up projects. Under this, it was made mandatory for cities to be made Comprehensive Mobility Plan and Urban Metro Transport Authority (UMTA). Also, a minimum of 14% Economic Internal Return Rate (EIRR) and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) participation was made compulsory for central assistance.
Under the Make in India initiative, 75% metro car and 25% equipment were made mandatory in the country. BEML has so far supplied more than 2,000 metro coaches.
In the coming years, projects like Pune Metro Charan-2, Delhi Metro Extension, Ahmedabad Airport Connectivity, Bangalore Metro Charan-3 will be completed at a high speed. Also, water metro schemes are also proposed in 24 cities. India's metro network has become a symbol of modern, clean and sharp urban development, not just transport means. By 2030, this network is expected to spread even more largely, which will completely change the face of traffic in the cities of India.
