New Delhi, March 15 (NationPress) In the last eleven years, India has experienced an extraordinary growth in its metro rail framework, now ranking as the third largest globally.

Starting with merely a few operational lines across five cities in 2014, the network has now expanded to encompass 26 cities, achieving over 1,000 kilometres of metro coverage. This significant development has revolutionized urban travel, providing quicker, cleaner, and more dependable transportation options while also alleviating road congestion, as noted in an official statement released on Sunday.

The government has initiated an extensive urban transport strategy, approving 38 metro rail projects which span a total of 1,051 km and have an estimated budget of Rs 3.44 lakh crore since 2014. The annual budget for metro systems escalated from Rs 5,798 crore in 2013–14 to a projected Rs 29,550 crore by 2025–26.

Metro Rail significantly reduces household transportation expenses and promotes a healthier environment. Beyond serving as a travel option, investments in metros have emerged as catalysts for economic growth—creating jobs, enhancing access to education and healthcare, and improving the overall quality of life for families in India's swiftly urbanizing cities, as stated.

A study conducted by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) highlights the broad economic and social advantages resulting from metro development, spanning from financial stability to sustainable urban advancement.

Metro connectivity leads to lower transportation costs, which subsequently reduces delays in loan repayments and encourages timely home loan payoffs. In Delhi, instances of missed payments decreased by 4.42 percent, while early repayments rose by 1.38 percent. Similarly, in Bengaluru, delays dropped by 2.4 percent and early repayments increased by 3.5 percent. In Hyderabad, missed payments decreased by 1.7 percent, and early repayments saw a growth of 1.8 percent, according to the study.

Metro services are currently operational in key cities like Delhi & NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, Lucknow, Pune, Ahmedabad, and others. Notably, in April 2023, Kochi in Kerala became the first city in India to launch a Water Metro. This innovative system links 10 islands with electric-hybrid boats, providing seamless and eco-friendly transportation while setting a standard for sustainable urban mobility.

India's metro and Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) initiatives have made significant strides, incorporating world-class technologies that enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

For the first time globally, Namo Bharat trains operating on the Delhi–Meerut RRTS corridor employ a Hybrid level-III radio-based signaling system integrated with a Long Term Evolution (LTE) backbone. This cutting-edge technology ensures smarter and safer train operations, offering passengers an elevated sense of security and confidence during their travels.