326 km Metro lines made operational after May 2014

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : With rapid urbanisation, the pressure is mounting on the public transport system from the  people living in cities and towns across the country. Mass Rapid Transport System (MRTS) has emerged as one of the  most effective means of mobility for the citizens in tier-1 and tier-2 cities and Metro has been a major player. At present, 585 km of Metro lines are operational. Approximately another 60 km of metro lines are likely to be opened in the next one month in the cities of Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Nagpur and Ghaziabad.

With a modest beginning with 8 km in 2002, modern metro rail have shown phenomenal growth in the country. In the current financial year (2018-19), 140 km of metro lines have been opened for the public till February 10, 2019. Out of the 585 km of operational metro lines including 327 km in Delhi & NCR, as on February 10, 2019, 326 km have been made operational after May 2014. Since May 2014, 258 km of metro line have been sanctioned by the Government of India (GOI).

Currently about 600 km of sanctioned metro lines under construction and will be operational in next five years. There are about 1,000 km of metro line proposals under planning. The GOI has taken various steps for standardisation and growth of metro rail in India.  The Metro Rail Policy 2017 of the GOI enables rapid and sustainable growth of metro rail in the country, according to a PIB release.

Metro Projects have not only added to connectivity, it has reduced the travel time and hence enhanced the ease of living substantially in the urban areas. It has also led to creation of direct and indirect employment opportunities.