India now has the world’s 3rd largest Metro network! The metro rail network in India has increased to 1000 km. With such a large network, India has become the country with the third largest metro rail network in the world after China and America. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the extension of Delhi Metro's Magenta Line on Sunday. He will also inaugurate the 13 km long section of Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor built between Sahibabad in UP and New Ashok Nagar in Delhi.
Metro network's growth in last 10 years
In the last 10 years, the number of states with metro services has grown to 11 from five, while the number of cities benefiting from metro connectivity has surged from five to 23.
Daily passenger commute has also witnessed exponential growth, rising from 28 lakh in 2014 to over one crore now, reflecting a 2.5 times increase. Furthermore, the total distance travelled by metro trains has tripled, climbing from 86,000 kilometres to an impressive 2.75 lakh kilometres.
PM Modi shared the milestone on X. "Over the last decade, extensive work has been done in boosting metro connectivity, thus strengthening urban transport and enhancing ‘Ease of Living'", his post reads.
PM Modi to inaugurate Namo Bharat corridor today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the additional 13 kilometre Delhi section of Namo Bharat corridor between Sahibabad and New Ashok Nagar on Sunday, officials said. The inauguration will take place around 11 am and PM Modi will likely to travel from Sahibabad to New Ashok Nagar.
The passenger operations will commence from 5 pm onwards on Sunday and trains will be available to the public at a frequency of 15 minutes. The fare from New Ashok Nagar station to Meerut South is Rs 150 for standard coach and Rs 225 for premium coach.
Of the newly inaugurated 13 km section, six km is underground and includes a prominent station on the corridor, Anand Vihar. This marks the first time that Namo Bharat trains will operate in an underground section, the officials stated.
Namo Bharat trains served 50 lakh commuters
To date, Namo Bharat trains have served over 50 lakh commuters. Further construction in other sections -- New Ashok Nagar-Sarai Kale Khan and Meerut South-Modipuram -- is progressing at a rapid pace, they said.
Anand Vihar underground station is one of the largest stations on the Namo Bharat corridor. Commuters will be able to travel from here to Meerut South in just 35 minutes.
As a special arrangement for the movement of vehicles and pedestrians at this station, three bridges have been built over the Ghazipur drain. Two of these bridges are to be used for vehicle entry and exit, while one is exclusively for pedestrians.
(With inputs from agencies)
