Metro rail is fast becoming the most popular means of mass rapid transit in India with an operational network of over 835 km across 15 cities. But did you know that the first metro in the country started operations all the way back in 1984 in Kolkata. It is also the only metro rail network that is controlled by the Indian Railways; all others are operated by autonomous local authorities.
Indian Metro Rail Network
The second oldest after Kolkata Metro is Delhi Metro, which makes the largest and busiest network of all. Following the success of Delhi Metro, other cities in India also started exploring the option to implement metro projects. With this idea, more than INR 1 trillion was invested in metro projects in the year 2018-19.
History of Metro Rail in India
The introduction of metro rail in India began in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) with the Kolkata Metro. It was the first underground metro system in the country and started its operations in 1984. Since then, metro networks have expanded to other major cities across India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, and Lucknow.
Various government agencies and public-private partnerships have played significant roles in the development of metro networks in India. The primary organizations involved include:
- Kolkata Metro: The Kolkata Metro was the first metro network in India and was implemented by the Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation (KMRC).
- Delhi Metro: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) played a pivotal role in planning, constructing, and operating the Delhi Metro. The DMRC is a joint venture between the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
- Mumbai Metro: The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) is responsible for implementing metro projects in Mumbai. It is a joint venture between the Government of Maharashtra and the Government of India.
- Chennai Metro: The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) is responsible for the implementation of the Chennai Metro. It is a joint venture between the Government of India and the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Who Invented Metro in India?
The development of the metro system in India can be attributed to multiple entities and organizations. The first modern metro system in India was the Kolkata Metro, which was the result of collaboration between Indian and foreign entities. The project was executed by the Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation (KMRC) and the planning and design assistance was provided by the Soviet Union (now Russia). The initial section of the Kolkata Metro was inaugurated on October 24, 1984.
Subsequently, other cities in India also started developing their metro systems. Delhi Metro, one of the most extensive and successful metro networks in India, was established by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) under the leadership of E. Sreedharan, a renowned Indian engineer. E. Sreedharan, often referred to as the “Metro Man,” played a crucial role in the planning, execution, and development of the Delhi Metro.
Underground Metro in India
Several cities in India have underground metro systems. Some notable examples include:
- Kolkata Metro: The Kolkata Metro is predominantly an underground metro system with both elevated and underground sections. It has been instrumental in easing transportation in the city. The idea of an underground metro in Kolkata was first proposed by Bidhan Chandra Roy, the then Chief Minister of West Bengal.
- Delhi Metro: The Delhi Metro consists of both elevated and underground sections. The underground portions are crucial for serving densely populated areas of the city.
- Chennai Metro: The Chennai Metro also features underground sections, providing efficient transportation options for the city’s residents.
Here is the list of Indian cities that currently have metro connectivity:
- Delhi – Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC)
- Mumbai – Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRC)
- Bengaluru – Namma Metro
- Hyderabad – Hyderabad Metro Rail
- Chennai – Chennai Metro Rail (CMRL)
- Kochi – Kochi Metro Rail Limited
- Jaipur – Jaipur Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (JMRC)
- Kolkata – Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (KMRC)
- Lucknow – Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation (LMRC)
- Noida – Noida Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (NMRC)
- Gurgaon – Rapid Metro Gurgaon
- Nagpur – Nagpur Metro Rail
- Ahmedabad Metro Map
- Noida Aqua Line Metro Map (Noida metro map)
- Pune Metro Route Map
- Kanpur Metro Rail Network
- Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Metro Map
Besides, as many as 15 other cities in India have over 500 km of metro lines under different stages of implementation. These include
- Ahmedabad – Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Limited
- Pune – Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority
- Indore – Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation
- Bhopal – Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation
- Varanasi – Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation
- Kozhikode – Kerala Rapid Transit Corporation Ltd
- Vijayawada – Amaravati Metro Rail Corporation (AMRC)
- Meerut – Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation
- Visakhapatnam – Amaravati Metro Rail Corporation (AMRC)
- Kanpur – Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation
- Agra – Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation
- Coimbatore – Chennai Metro Rail Limited
- Patna – Delhi Metro Rail Corporation
- Navi Mumbai – City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO)
- Guwahati – Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority
People also ask
Q. How many metro runs in India?
A. There are currently 16 operational rapid transit systems in fifteen cities across India, with Delhi Metro being the largest.
Q. How many cities have metro in India?
A. There are 15 Indian cities that have an active metro rail service and an operational metro map. The cities included in the metro route map of India are Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Gurugram, Mumbai, Noida, Kochi, Lucknow, Nagpur, Kanpur, and Pune.
Q. Which is the 1st metro city in India?
A. Kolkata was the 1st metro city in India when the metro started its operations in 1984.
Q. Which is the 2nd largest metro in India?
A. The Hyderabad Metro is the metro rail service operating in the city of Hyderabad, Telangana. It is the second-longest metro network in India after the Delhi Metro, covering a total of 57 stations.
Q. Does Pakistan have a metro?
A. Lahore Metro is an automated rapid transit system in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan and the first driverless metro in Pakistan.
Q. Which is the 3rd largest metro in India?
A. Bangalore Metro is the 3rd largest metro network spread across 42.3 km and consists of 51 stations.
Q. Which country invented the metro train?
A. The world’s first metro, now the world’s oldest system, is the London Underground in England, which is more commonly known as the Tube, which was opened in 1863.
Q. Who made the metro in India?
A. The idea of an underground railway system was conceived by the then Chief Miniter of West Bengal, Bidhan Chandra Roy in the 1950s. The Government of India ties up with State Governments and Private Institutions for the construction of metros in India.
Q. Which is the cleanest metro in India?
A. The State Metro Authorities have made significant efforts to maintain cleanliness by implementing regular cleaning schedules, and waste management systems, and educating passengers about maintaining cleanliness inside the trains and stations.
Q. Which metro line is the longest in India?
A. The Pink Line in Delhi metro is the longest stretch at 59 km with 38 stations.
Q. Where is the fastest metro in India?
A. The Delhi Metro Airport Express Line is the fastest Metro connection in India providing seamless connectivity from the New Delhi Railway Station to Dwarka Sector 21 through IGI Airport Terminal – 3 and Aerocity.
Q. Which is the shortest Delhi Metro line?
A. The shortest line in Delhi Metro is the Grey Line with a distance of 5.19 km with 4 stations.
Q. Which country has the most metros?
A. The country with the most metro systems is China, with 40 in operation. The Shanghai Metro is the world’s longest metro network at 803 km.