India's remarkable metro rail systems

India has developed Rapid Transit systems to make travel easier for commuters across cities.

While Metro rail is successfully running across 4 cities, more metro rail systems, and monorail are being built to cater to the increasing needs of people in cities.

The first rapid transit system in India was the Kolkata Metro, which started operations in 1984.

It was followed by the Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) in 1995.

Take a look at India’s metro rail systems…

Delhi Metro

The world's 13th largest metro system in terms of length, Delhi Metro is a rapid transit system serving Delhi, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Noida, and Ghaziabad.

Fast and reliable, the Delhi Metro network consists of six lines with a total length of 189.63 kilometres with 142 stations, of which 35 are underground.

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Delhi Metro built and operated by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited (DMRC), started operations on 24 December 2002.

Delhi Metro has a daily ridership of 2.01 million.

The expansion of Delhi Metro - Phase III and Phase IV - are scheduled for completion in 2016 and 2021.

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Kolkata Metro

Kolkata Metro which started operations in October 1984, stretches across a distance of 28 kilometres with 24 stations.

It has a combination of elevated, at-grade and 15 underground lines. It also has the distinction of being the first underground railway to be built in India.

It took around 23 years to complete the 17 km underground railway.

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Kolkata Metro’s expansion will see the construction of the first underwater metro in India.

Construction on Kolkata Metro’s line 2 started in March 2009.

The East-West Metro will operate from Salt Lake Sector 5 (East) to Howrah Maidan (West).

Between Mahakaran and Howrah Station, the metro will run 1,500 ft (460 m) under the Hooghly River.

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Namma Metro

Namma Metro also known as Bangalore Metro started on 20 October 2011.

The project has an East-West corridor - 18.10 km long, starting from Baiyappanahalli in the East and ending at Mysore Road terminal in the West.

The North-South corridor stretches across a distance of 24.20 km starting at Nagasandra in the North and terminating at Puttenahalli in the South. 

The commercial operations on Reach-1 (MG Road to Baiyappanahalli station) opened on 20th October 2011.

This is the First Metro rail project in India commissioned with 750V DC Third Rail on Standard Guage. 

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The Phase II of the Namma Metro covers a distance of 72.095 km - 13.79 km underground, 0.48 km at grade and 57.825 km elevated, and adds 61 stations to the network, of which 12 are underground.

Construction of the second phase will begin in 2014.

Click NEXT to see other cities that will get a metro system...  

Mumbai Metro

The Mumbai Metro designed to reduce traffic congestion will be built in three phases over a 15-year period covering a distance of 63 kilometres.

The Mumbai Metro's operator is Mumbai Metro One Pvt Ltd (MMOPL), a joint venture company formed by Reliance Infrastructure, Veolia Transport and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

Construction work began in February 2008 with a successful trial run in May 2013. The metro’s first line is expected to be opened by October 2013.

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Chennai Metro

The first phase of the Chennai Metro Rail project consists of two corridors covering a length of 45.1 km. 

The elevated section of the project is scheduled to be operational by 2013 and the entire project is expected to be completed during 2014-2015.

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Jaipur Metro

Construction on Jaipur Metro’s 9.2 km stretch from Mansarovar to Chandpole Bazaar started on November 13, 2010.

The project is set to start operations by December 2013.

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Gurgaon Metro

India's first fully privately financed metro system, Rapid MetroRail in Gurgaon is expected to start operations this year.

The line will be built and operated by Rapid MetroRail Gurgaon Limited (RMGL).

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Hyderabad Metro

Hyderabad Metro Rail is a fully automated rapid transit system built on PPP mode.

Phase I of the project includes 3 lines covering a distance of around 71 km. The metro is set to open by March 2015.

The Hyderabad Metro Rail project was selected as one of the top 100 strategic global infrastructure projects to be showcased at the Global Infrastructure Leadership Forum held in New York this year.

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Kochi Metro

Kochi Metro is a rapid transit system expected to be completed by June 2016.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh laid the foundation stone for the project on 13 September 2012.

The metro will cover a distance of 25.612 kilometres and will have 22 stations.

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Navi Mumbai Metro

The Navi Mumbai Metro will consist of six elevated rail corridors covering a total distance of 117.3 kilometres.

Construction work on the project began in May 2011, and the first line is expected to open in December 2014.