Administrator
10 August 2025
The Delhi Metro
From the first tracks laid in Delhi’s expanding suburbs in the early 2000s to the bustling, tech-powered networks now weaving over 20 Indian cities, India’s metro story is a symbol of its urban awakening. What began as a cautious step into mass rapid transit has evolved into a nationwide movement, streamlining daily commutes, reducing city congestion, and reshaping skylines. The metro is no longer just a mode of transport; it’s a lifeline pulsing through the heart of India’s growth story, driven by ambition, innovation, and a vision of sustainable urban living. India now proudly stands as the world’s third-largest metro network, reflecting its rapid strides in urban transit expansion.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Inaugurating Kolkata Metro's Howrah Maidan - Esplanade Metro Section
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Steering the Future: Key Steps by the Government
To accelerate urban mobility and ensure sustainable transit solutions, the Government of India has launched several transformative initiatives. These steps aim to ensure that metro projects are sustainable, economically viable, and technologically advanced. Through visionary policies, bold investments, and smart partnerships, the government is laying the foundation for a cleaner, faster, and more connected urban future.
Metro Rail Policy, 2017
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. To qualify for central financial assistance, metro projects must ensure a minimum Economic Internal Rate of Return (EIRR) of 14% and involve mandatory private sector participationthrough Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
Make in India for Metro Rail Systems
As part of the ambitious Make-in-India drive, the government has made provisions for domestic procurements of at least 75% of metro cars and 25% of key equipment and sub-systems—a bold step to boost local production and foster self-reliance in the mobility sector. In the last ten years, India has invested nearly ₹2.5 lakh crore (US$ 28.86 billion) into expanding its metro network. This momentum has powered the local manufacturing of metro coaches. Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Defence, has supplied over 2,000 metro coaches across cities like Delhi, Jaipur, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Mumbai as of May 2024, strengthening domestic capabilities and reducing dependence on imports.
Global Partnerships
Global Partnerships are also steering the growth of the Metro Network in the country. One such project, the Mumbai Metro Line 3 (MML-3) is expected to transform urban transit with a massive investment of ₹23,136 crore(US$ 2.67 billion). A significant share of ₹13,235 crore(US$ 1.53 billion), or 57.2% of the total funding, is being provided as loan assistance by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The rest of the funding is being jointly contributed by the Government of India, the Maharashtra State Government/ Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority(MMRDA), making it a strong example of international and domestic collaboration in infrastructure development.
Green Urban Mobility
India’s metro rail systems are embracing green innovations. The Delhi Metro installed a vertical bi-facial solar plant on an elevated viaduct at Okhla Viharand a 1 MW rooftop solar plant at Khyber Pass depot, pioneering land-free renewable energy use. Other green initiatives like regenerative braking systems, widely adopted across metros, help save power and reduce carbon emissions by converting braking energy into electricity. Additionally, many metro stations in cities like Delhi, Kochi, Nagpur, and Pune have received Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) Certifications, promoting eco-friendly infrastructure. These efforts align with India’s sustainability goals and demonstrate the metro’s growing role in clean urban mobility.
