i-Metro calls for collaborative efforts to strengthen India’s Urban Rail Network

Kochi, India (Metro Rail Today): The second meeting of the Operations Working Group (OWG) of the Indian Metro Rail Organisation Society (I-Metro) began in Kochi on Monday, bringing together metro rail leaders and technical experts from across India to foster collaboration, strengthen operational efficiency, and build a unified national strategy for urban rail development.

The event was inaugurated by Shri Loknath Behera, Managing Director, Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), who delivered the keynote address. In his speech, he underscored the importance of joint efforts among India’s metro systems to ensure resilience, innovation, and security in operations.

“In today’s interconnected world, collaboration among Indian metros is vital to safeguard our communication and signalling systems against potential cyber threats,” said Shri Behera. “Our shared goal must be to enhance operational efficiency to meet growing public expectations and to foster a sustainable, integrated urban mobility ecosystem across all Indian cities,” he added.

A National Platform for Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing

The OWG meeting serves as a key platform for sharing best practices, addressing operational challenges, and developing unified strategies to ensure the security, reliability, and continuous improvement of metro operations that serve millions of commuters every day.

The Kochi session has brought together representatives from 12 major metro corporations across the country, including Delhi Metro, Kochi Metro, Bengaluru Metro, Chennai Metro, Maharashtra Metro (Nagpur), Maharashtra Metro (Pune), Noida Metro, Jaipur Metro, Mumbai Metro, Gujarat Metro, Uttar Pradesh Metro, and the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC).

Focus Areas: Efficiency, Safety, and Sustainability

Participants at the two-day meet are expected to deliberate on a range of issues, including standardization of operational protocols, digital and cybersecurity frameworks, and sustainability in metro operations. The discussions also aim to evolve shared methodologies for energy efficiency, passenger experience enhancement, and integration with other modes of public transport.

The inaugural session also featured addresses by Shri Ram Navas, Director (Projects); Shri Manikandan A, Chief General Manager (O&M), and Shri Taloju Saikrishna, Senior Deputy General Manager, KMRL.

The proceedings are being led by Shri Raman Goyal, Leader, OWG Group/I-Metro and General Manager (Operations), DMRC, who emphasized the value of cross-city cooperation in standardizing practices across India’s expanding metro rail ecosystem.

Commenting on the development, Mrs. Mamta Shah, Managing Director & CEO, Urban Infra Group, said, “The I-Metro initiative plays a crucial role in aligning India’s rapidly growing metro systems under a common operational vision. Collaboration and knowledge exchange among metro corporations will be key to building a safe, secure, and sustainable urban transport framework for the country’s future cities.”

The Kochi meeting marks another step forward in I-Metro’s mission to create an integrated and resilient metro rail network across India. With shared learning, standardization, and innovation at its core, the Operations Working Group continues to serve as a vital enabler of India’s smart mobility transformation — driving the nation closer to its goal of sustainable and seamless urban connectivity.