India may ranked world's third top country in term of metro rail network by 2023

New Delhi, India (Metro Rail Today): After opening of Phase 1 corridors of Nagpur Metro Rail, India has completed commissioning of a total of 824 kilometres metro rail lines in 15 cities and work on another 1,039 kilometres are under construction stage.

While replying to a supplementary question during the Question Hour in Rajya Sabha on 12th December 2022, Union Minster of Housing & Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri said, "The urban transport, let's say metro rail, from zero in 2002 has come up to 824 kilometres, which is operational. Another 1,039 kilometres is under construction. So, it is rapidly expanding." 

"We are on the path of those who are advocating bringing in more public transport and that is why we have gone from 0 to 824 kilometres, and another 1,039 kms coming up. That, in itself, is a testimony to the fact that public transport is being encouraged," he said.

"We are already one of the largest metro operators. I am sure, the time will come that we will be the second-largest metro operator in the world," the minister said.

It is pertinent to share that India had superseded Japan in terms of operational metro rail network in the country just after launching Phase 1 of Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project on 30th September 2022 and become the fourth county to have the largest metro rail network. Japan has a total of 791.2 kilometers metro rail network.

South Korea is at third rank with a total operational metro rail network of 880.9 kilometres. Here are top five countries which are having large operational metro rail network:-

1. China: 9,162.86 km

2. USA: 1,375 km

3. South Korea: 880.9 km

4. India: 819.7 km

5. Japan: 791.2 km

By end of 2023, India will supersed South Korea as more than 60 kilometers of length of metro rail will be added after opening of metro rail systems in five cities i.e. Kolkata, Navi Mumbai, Bhopal, Indore and Agra.

To know more about operational, under-construction, approved and proposed metro rail systems in India, please explore our page "Metro Rail Projects in India".