India is poised to surpass the United States in the length of its Metro rail network, according to Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar. Speaking on Saturday, December 20, 2025, Khattar highlighted India's rapid expansion of urban infrastructure during the inauguration of the first phase of the Bhopal Metro's Orange Line.
Currently, India holds the third position globally with a Metro network spanning 1,083 km. With the addition of the Bhopal Metro's Orange Line "Priority Corridor", an additional 7 km has been added, bringing the total to 1,090 km. China leads the world with the longest Metro network, followed by the United States with 1,400 km of Metro corridors.
Khattar stated that India is on track to surpass the U.S. once approximately 300 km of the 900 km of Metro projects currently underway are completed. He noted that Metro lines across the country transport 12 million people daily, with Delhi alone serving 7 million commuters on its 400-km network.
The Bhopal Metro, the 26th city in India to have Metro services, aims to alleviate traffic congestion, reduce pollution, and offer faster and more efficient travel options for citizens. The Priority Corridor, an elevated section of nearly 7 km with eight stations, is projected to carry 3,000 passengers each day. The entire Bhopal Metro project costs ₹10,033 crore, with the Priority Corridor costing ₹2,225 crore. Commercial operations for the public commenced on December 21, 2025. The Orange Line spans approximately 6-7 km and includes eight stations: Subhash Nagar, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Board Office Chauraha, MP Nagar, Rani Kamalapati Station, DRM Office, Alkapuri, and AIIMS.
Khattar emphasized that the expansion of India's Metro network is part of a broader initiative to promote modern and sustainable urban transportation. This initiative supports India's smart city projects, delivers economic and social benefits by connecting residential, commercial, and industrial centers, and aligns with environmental goals by decreasing road traffic and vehicle emissions. He also mentioned resolving issues that had stalled a 7-km underground stretch in the Indore Metro, paving the way for its resumption.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who participated in the inauguration, emphasized the growing emphasis on efficient and world-class urban infrastructure in Indian cities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a pre-recorded message, lauded the rapid development of infrastructure projects, highlighting the prominence of Bhopal and Madhya Pradesh.
Khattar also said that the government is actively working towards net-zero emissions by 2070 through initiatives such as promoting last-mile connectivity to discourage private vehicle use, converting crop stubble into fuel pellets, introducing electric buses, and encouraging prefabricated construction.
