RITES awarded DPR Contract for 55-km Nagpur Metro Phase 3 Expansion with Four New Corridors

Nagpur, India (Metro Rail Today): Nagpur Metro has taken a significant step towards its next phase of expansion with Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) Limited being awarded a ₹3.12 crore contract to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and Alternative Analysis Report (AAR) for the proposed 55-kilometre Phase-III Metro network. The groundwork for the consultancy assignment is expected to commence within the next two weeks.

The proposed expansion aims to strengthen urban mobility by extending metro connectivity to key industrial zones, emerging residential areas and the proposed New Nagpur township. Once completed, the Phase-III project will increase the city's metro network to approximately 139 kilometres, making it one of the largest urban rail systems in central India.

Four New Metro Corridors Proposed

Under the proposed Phase-III plan, four new metro corridors have been identified to improve connectivity across Nagpur and its expanding urban areas. The longest proposed corridor will run from Mankapur Chowk to Rachana Junction along the Inner Ring Road, covering approximately 25 kilometres. Another important corridor will connect Sitabuldi to Koradi over a distance of 11.5 kilometres, while a 3-kilometre extension has been proposed between MIDC ESR and CEAT Limited at Butibori. The fourth corridor will link Khapri with New Nagpur, spanning around 15 kilometres.

The consultancy assignment has been scheduled for completion within 270 days, during which RITES will undertake comprehensive engineering, technical and financial studies to determine the most suitable implementation strategy for the proposed network.

Driverless Metro and Underground Options Under Study

As part of the DPR preparation, RITES will also examine the feasibility of introducing driverless metro train operations on Nagpur Metro Phase-III. If found viable, Nagpur could join the growing list of Indian cities adopting advanced unattended train operation (UTO) technology to improve operational efficiency and passenger convenience.

In addition, the consultancy will assess the possibility of constructing underground sections where elevated metro infrastructure may not be technically or economically feasible. One of the primary focus areas will be the Sitabuldi–Koradi corridor, where existing flyovers, dense urban development and limited land availability present significant engineering challenges. The final alignment, construction methodology and technology selection will be determined after detailed feasibility assessments.

"The next phase of Nagpur Metro represents an important opportunity to integrate advanced technologies such as driverless operations with sustainable urban transport planning. Comprehensive feasibility studies and detailed project reports are critical to ensuring that metro expansion delivers long-term operational efficiency, financial viability and enhanced passenger experience. As Indian cities continue to grow, carefully planned metro networks will play a central role in supporting economic development and improving urban quality of life," said Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO of Urban Infra Group.

Comprehensive Studies to Guide Project Development

The consultancy scope includes extensive technical investigations such as traffic and ridership surveys, peak-hour traffic analysis, geotechnical investigations, topographical surveys, utility mapping, alignment optimisation, station location planning and financial modelling. The final DPR will establish the technical specifications, estimated project cost and implementation roadmap for each of the proposed corridors.

Officials have confirmed that Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha Metro) will actively participate throughout the DPR preparation process to ensure that the proposed expansion aligns with the city's long-term mobility objectives.

Government Approvals to Determine Implementation

Following completion of the DPR, the project will require approvals from the Government of Maharashtra and the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) before construction can commence. Funding arrangements and statutory clearances will play a decisive role in determining the implementation schedule for Phase-III.

The proposed expansion is expected to significantly enhance connectivity between industrial clusters, residential neighbourhoods and emerging urban centres while supporting transit-oriented development across Nagpur. By extending metro services to new growth corridors and evaluating next-generation technologies such as driverless operations, Nagpur Metro continues to position itself as one of India's most forward-looking urban rail systems, contributing to sustainable mobility and the city's long-term economic development.