India Likely to Overtake US in Metro Rail Network in Two Years: Union Minister Manohar Lal

Indore: Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal said the launch of the extended Indore Metro service marks a significant milestone in the city’s development, with the new corridor connecting key areas and the bus stand to the metro network. He said the expanded service would provide citizens with safe, convenient and time-bound transportation while promoting “ease of living”. The metro would also help save commuters’ time and reduce congestion and traffic pressure in the city. Manohar Lal said the upcoming expansion of the network to other major locations, including the railway station and airport, would further strengthen seamless mobility in Indore.

Highlighting India’s metro expansion, the Union Minister said that in 2014, only five cities had 245 km of operational metro network, which has now expanded to 1,170 km across 26 cities. He expressed confidence that India could surpass the US in the coming years to become the country with the world’s second-largest metro network. He said modern urban infrastructure, including metro services, would play an important role in building a developed India. Along with urbanisation, infrastructure and industrialisation, continued progress in education and healthcare would help the country move towards its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

Calling Indore a key centre of Madhya Pradesh’s development, Manohar Lal said the metro expansion would provide further impetus to industry, trade and civic amenities. Better connectivity between major cities such as Indore, Ujjain and Bhopal would also contribute to the state’s economic and social development. The Union Minister congratulated the people of Indore on the launch of the extended metro service and also extended his greetings to teachers on the occasion of Teachers’ Day.