India’s metro rail network has expanded to 1,000 kilometers, positioning the country as the third-largest metro network globally, following China and the United States. This milestone was marked by the inauguration of the extension of Delhi Metro’s Magenta Line by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday.
The newly inaugurated 13-kilometer section of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor, connecting Sahibabad in Uttar Pradesh to New Ashok Nagar in Delhi, is expected to significantly enhance connectivity between the two regions. Passenger operations commenced at 5 pm on Sunday, with trains running at a frequency of 15 minutes. Fares for the journey from New Ashok Nagar to Meerut South are set at ₹150 for standard coaches and ₹225 for premium coaches.
Over the past decade, the number of states with metro services has increased from five to eleven, and the number of cities benefiting from metro connectivity has grown from five to twenty-three. This expansion underscores India’s commitment to improving urban transportation infrastructure and promoting sustainable development.
The extension of the Magenta Line and the Namo Bharat Corridor is expected to alleviate traffic congestion, reduce travel time, and provide a reliable mode of transportation for commuters in the Delhi-NCR region. The government’s focus on expanding metro networks aligns with its broader goals of enhancing urban mobility and reducing carbon emissions.
