BS EDIT: India's Metro Milestone

By Business StandardPublished On Jan 9, 2025

Crossing 1,000 km

India's Metro network spans over 1,000 km across 23 cities, with another 1,000 km in progress — a major step in urban infrastructure

Delhi Sets the Standard

The Delhi Metro redefines urban behaviour, showing how world-class systems improve public civility and connectivity

Funding the Expansion

Projects rely on global finance:

Chennai Metro: ₹34,000 crore via state and international loans

Ahmedabad Metro: German and French-backed

Suburban Rail Success

Projects like the Delhi-Meerut link highlight the demand for light suburban rail to connect nearby towns effectively

The Ridership Challenge

Most Metros fall short of ridership targets: Mumbai achieves only a third; Bengaluru’s first phase hit 6 per cent

Rethinking Strategies

India needs a fresh approach to Metro planning — prioritising cost-effective, high-impact solutions for better outcomes