Bhopal, 20 December. Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday said that India is going to overtake America to become the second largest metro rail network in the world.
Inauguration of Priority Corridor of Orange Line of Bhopal Metro
After inaugurating the Priority Corridor of Orange Line of Bhopal Metro with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, Manohar Lal said that India is currently at third place in the world, behind only China and America. With the successful launch of about 7 km stretch in Bhopal, India’s operational metro network has grown to about 1,090 km across 26 cities.
In a program organized today at Kushabhau Thackeray Convention Center in Bhopal, Honorable Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shri @DrMohanYadav51 With JI, Bhopal Metro Rail service launched.
This first phase of Bhopal Metro is spread over a 7 km long stretch under the Orange Line ‘Priority Corridor’,… pic.twitter.com/Zlq6ADktSJ
— Manohar Lal (@mlkhattar) December 20, 2025
Khattar presented a comparative roadmap for this infrastructural leap and pointed out that the total metro length in the US currently is about 1,400 kilometers. Nearly 900 kilometers of metro projects are currently in the pipeline or under construction in various Indian cities.
The Union Minister expressed confidence that India will bridge the gap of 310 kilometers in the next two to three years and leave America behind. This rapid expansion is a far cry from the urban mobility situation two decades ago, when metro services were limited to just five cities.
After Indore, Bhopal becomes the second city of MP to provide metro services.
After Indore, Bhopal has now become the second city of Madhya Pradesh, where metro services have started. The newly launched Priority Corridor, built at an estimated cost of about Rs 2,225 crore, has eight elevated stations, connecting prime commercial and residential areas. The project is part of the larger Rs 10,033 crore Phase-1 plan for the city.
LIVE: Bhopal Metro inaugurated
— Manohar Lal (@mlkhattar) December 20, 2025
Manohar Lal emphasized that the Metro is an important instrument for environmental sustainability, contributing to India’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2070. By promoting the shift from private vehicles to public transport, the government aims to significantly reduce urban air pollution and traffic jams.
Officials say India’s metro network is also being developed with an emphasis on self-reliance. Under the “Make in India” initiative, about 75% of metro coaches and a major part of signaling equipment are now being manufactured in the country. As daily ridership crosses 1.2 crore across the country, the Ministry is giving further priority to last-mile connectivity through electric buses and seamless multi-modal integration.
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