India’s Union Cabinet has approved an ambitious investment of ₹300 billion (approximately $3.6 billion) to fund three major metro projects across Bengaluru, Thane, and Pune. This move underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing public transport networks and addressing the growing mobility needs of urban populations.
The Karnataka state government is set to advance its ₹156 billion Phase 3 expansion of the Bengaluru Metro Rail Project. This expansion includes the construction of two new lines designed to alleviate congestion and improve connectivity. The first line will span 32 kilometres, linking JP Nagar to Kempapura along the Outer Ring Road with 21 stations en route. The second line, extending 12.5 kilometres, will connect Hosahalli and Kabadgere along Magadi Road, featuring nine stations. These new lines will complement Bengaluru’s existing metro network, which includes the 43.4-kilometre east-west Purple Line and the 30-kilometre north-south Green Line, operational since 2011 and 2014, respectively.
In Thane, located northeast of Mumbai, the cabinet has sanctioned ₹122 billion for a new ring metro line. This line will enhance connectivity across key areas such as Naupada, Wagle Estate, Dongripada, Hiranandani Estate, Kolshet, and Saket, reinforcing Thane’s status as a major industrial and commercial hub. Pune will benefit from ₹29 billion allocated for a 5.46-kilometre extension of Metro Line 1 from Swargate to Katraj. This extension will integrate the Swargate multimodal hub with the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal (PMPML) bus terminal and the Maharashtra State Roadways bus terminal. Additionally, a 5-kilometre southern extension of Line 1 from Civil Court to Swargate is currently under construction, further expanding the city’s metro coverage.
India’s metro network is poised for substantial growth, with existing systems in 15 cities and plans for expansion into 10 more. This development is part of a broader strategy to position India as the second-largest metro network operator globally, following China. Between 2021-22 and 2024-25, the Indian government has allocated ₹762 billion for metro projects and the Regional Rapid Transport System (RRTS), with significant funding directed to metro rail corporations in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Gujarat, and Delhi, which currently boasts the largest metro network in the country. The approval of these projects marks a pivotal step in India’s urban transport strategy, aiming to enhance connectivity, reduce congestion, and provide sustainable transit solutions across key metropolitan areas.
