The metro rail network in India is rapidly expanding, with 1,083 km currently operational across 25 cities, including Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridors, according to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). Union Minister of State Tokhan Sahu stated in a Lok Sabha reply that metro projects are capital-intensive and undergo detailed appraisal under the Metro Rail Policy, 2017. Approvals depend on feasibility and resource availability, so no fixed timeline can be assigned for new projects.
In South India, 251.36 km of metro lines are under construction across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and Telangana. Currently, 247.68 km of metro network is operational in these states. Karnataka leads with 121.16 km under development, followed by Tamil Nadu with 119 km and Kerala with 11.2 km.
Regarding operational networks, Karnataka again tops the list with 96.1 km in service, Telangana has 69 km, Tamil Nadu 54.1 km, and Kerala 28.48 km. Notable projects include Chennai Metro, Bangalore Metro, Hyderabad Metro, and Kochi Metro.
Under the Metro Rail Policy, 2017, cities with populations over two million can plan mass transit systems based on their Comprehensive Mobility Plans. Additionally, the central government has launched the PM e-Bus Sewa scheme with an allocation of Rs 20,000 crore to deploy 10,000 air-conditioned electric buses.
This underscores India’s ongoing investment in urban mobility and sustainable public transport infrastructure.
