The urban transport sector in India has witnessed notable growth, with widespread network expansion. The sector now offers a faster, more efficient and cleaner mode of commute through mass rapid transit systems (MRTSs), or metro systems, and regional rapid transit systems (RRTSs). Urban rail, in particular, has emerged as a key solution to combat urban congestion. India now has the third largest metro network in the world. With the added focus on sustainability, indigenisation, integration of technology and passenger convenience, many notable developments have taken place over the past year.
Current status
India’s current metro network, including RRTSs, spans over 1,000 km across 24 cities, a notable rise from 248 km in 2014. These include key MRTSs such as the Delhi metro, spanning over 350 km, and the Bengaluru metro spanning over 75 km. The overall network has an average daily ridership of 2.8 million passengers across the country. Moreover, a length of approximately 970 km, including the Delhi-Meerut RRTS, is currently under construction across various cities.
Government support for the metro segment has seen a notable increase, with an allocation of Rs 348.07 billion in the Union Budget of 2025-26, a rise of over six times from the 2013-14 budget allocation. Financing from multilateral, bilateral and global players such as the Asian Development Bank, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the European Investment Bank and KfW also play a key role in metro projects in India.
Modern transit systems
Emerging modes of transit such as the RRTS, water metro, MetroNeo and MetroLite are transforming urban mobility by providing more efficient, cleaner and smarter services. The Namo Bharat RRTS corridor, being implemented by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), offers high-speed transit connecting key urban nodes. The project currently has an operational length of around 55 km (Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor). Moreover, the Namo Bharat trains on the RRTS corridors can operate at speeds as high as 160 kmph, with a design speed of 180 kmph.
India’s first water metro project was launched in Kochi, Kerala, with a target of connecting 10 islands over a 78 km route through electric-hybrid boats. Fuelled by the success of this project, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways approved technical feasibility studies for water-based transit in 24 cities in April 2025. Focus on sustainable and energy-
efficient operations
Key metro projects are adopting renewable energy and energy-efficient initiatives, aiming to reduce adverse environmental impacts and align operations with the country’s net zero goals. Major initiatives include the use of LED lighting, integration of rooftop solar projects and installation of energy-efficient cooling systems. In September 2024, NCRTC signed an agreement with Power Trading Corporation India Limited to procure low-cost power, including green energy, through power exchanges for the RRTS corridor. Moreover, India’s first bifacial solar plant, designed to capture sunlight on both sides, was inaugurated at the metro viaduct of the Okhla Vihar metro station in February 2025. Moreover, the Blue Line of the Delhi metro, connecting Yamuna Bank in Delhi to Vaishali in Ghaziabad, has received carbon-neutral certification. Metro rail systems are also adopting regenerative braking technologies for energy efficiency. Kolkata Metro, for example, has introduced regenerative braking across its rolling stock to cut carbon emissions and improve efficiency. According to reports, around 10.8 million units of energy, translating into an energy cost saving of around Rs 82 million, were saved across the 37 rakes that used the system in 2024-25, reducing carbon emissions by 13,500 tonnes.
Meanwhile, the deployment of e-buses has been promoted through schemes such as the PM e-bus Sewa Scheme. This scheme aims to deploy 10,000 electric buses under the public-private partnership model. As of August 7, 2025, around 7,300 buses have been sanctioned, of which 6,518 have been tendered. Further, under the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement scheme, more than 14,000 e-buses will be incentivised across nine cities with a population of over 4 million. Various states have also adopted measures to scale up e-bus deployments.
Upgradation and indigenisation of rolling stock
With the rising demand for metro rail systems and subsequent network expansion, the rolling stock segment has witnessed positive trends over the years. In this regard, driverless trains are making notable headway. The Magenta Line of Delhi Metro now features unattended train operations across the entire line. These are also being implemented on the Pink Line. Moreover, efforts are being made to increase the indigenous production of rolling stock and related equipment. This includes provisions for domestic procurement of at least 75 per cent of metro cars and 25 per cent of key equipment and sub-systems. To this end, key metro projects have signed agreements to procure rolling stock that is entirely made in India. For example, the Yellow Line of the Bangalore Metro project received its first 100 per cent made-in-India driverless train set in January 2025, manufactured by Titagarh Rail Systems. Alstom Transport India Limited has delivered the first Metropolis metro train for Phase IV of the Delhi Metro project. The 100 per cent made-in-India trains were manufactured at its facility in Sricity, Andhra Pradesh, and have Grade of Automation 4 driverless features. A total of 52 trains with six cars each are slated to reach Delhi in a phased manner.
New technology initiatives
Metro projects across the country have adopted innovative technologies and digital initiatives to streamline operations, enhance the passenger experience and boost safety standards. Ticketing and fare collection in particular have been witnessing a digital transformation, which is speeding up processes and making the experience user-friendly. Various metro systems such as those in Delhi, Kolkata and stretches of Mumbai Metro now feature QR code-based ticketing facilities. Tickets for Delhi Metro can also be booked on cab-hailing apps such as Uber and Rapido. Moreover, various metro lines are National Common Mobility Card-compliant, with the most recent launches being on the Aqua Line of Mumbai Metro in June 2025 and Agra Metro in May 2025.
Apart from this, metro projects have benefited from the adoption of advanced systems on the signalling and communication front. For example, communication-based train control (CBTC) helps ensure accurate and timely transfer of information. The Aqua Line of Mumbai Metro features the latest CBTC technology, Urbalis Forward. Further, the trains on the recently extended Kanpur Metro line also feature CBTC for automatic train operations.
Other key trends
Metro projects across the country also feature other innovative facilities aimed at enhancing the passenger experience. Passenger safety has been enhanced through the implementation of platform screen doors. Stations now feature an extensive network of CCTV cameras, while advanced surveillance systems are also gaining traction. Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited, for example, introduced CCTV camera surveillance systems powered by artificial intelligence (AI) at six stations in May 2025. AI-based video analytics facilitates real-time threat identification and tracking of anomalies. The system also features automatic number plate recognition technology. Moreover, metro projects are placing special emphasis on inclusive mobility, ensuring accessibility for the elderly and people with disabilities through ramps, tactile tiles, audio-visual announcements, etc.
In addition, metro projects are now focusing on last-mile connectivity by linking other modes of transit with the metro rail system. These include feeder buses, taxi and auto rickshaw services, and EVs. For example, in February 2025, EVZIP launched electric cars and women-driven electric two-wheelers for Hyderabad Metro. Further, Pune Metro has signed an MoU with TS Switch E-Ride Private Limited for e-bike services, with 10 stations planned in the first phase. Moreover, in May 2025, NCRTC and Delhi Transport Corporation collaborated to introduce air-conditioned electric buses connecting to the New Ashok Nagar and Anand Vihar Namo Bharat stations.
In sum
The metro rail segment has emerged as a key mode of transit, significantly improving urban mobility. With sizeable network expansion, the segment has enhanced intra-city connectivity and improved access from regional hubs. In addition to network expansion, efforts to ensure energy efficiency and digital initiatives to enhance the passenger experience have been notable trends that have shaped the sector in the past year. Looking ahead, the network is set to further expand with key upcoming projects such as Phase II of Pune Metro, Phase II of Hyderabad Metro, and Phase III of Bangalore Metro. Moreover, with the focus on indigenisation, notable opportunities have emerged for the domestic manufacturing of rolling stock and technologies for signalling, communication and surveillance.
Shreya Annie Mathew
