India to Surpass US in Metro Network Length Within Three Years: Union Minister Manohar Lal

Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal said that India will surpass the United States in total metro network length within the next two to three years, marking a major milestone in the country’s urban transport expansion.

Speaking at the Regional Meeting of Urban Development Ministers of South-West States, the Minister highlighted that India’s metro rail network now spans over 1,100 km across 24 cities, compared to just five cities in 2004–05. “We are very close to the metro length in the USA, which stands at around 1,400 km. In just two to three years, India will cross that mark,” he said, adding that the country’s rapid pace of urban transport development reflects its growing focus on sustainable mobility.

He noted that while countries like the US and China began developing metro systems much earlier, India’s expansion rate has been exceptional, driven by strong central and state government collaboration.

The Minister also emphasized the importance of urbanisation in driving India’s economy, stating that cities and towns are expected to contribute nearly 80% of the national GDP by 2050. He reaffirmed the Centre’s support for urban infrastructure projects in Telangana, including metro expansion and Musi River redevelopment, to enhance urban mobility and livability.