Nagpur Metro Crosses 10 Crore Riders Since 2019 Rollout
Nagpur’s Metro system has achieved a significant ridership milestone, surpassing 10 crore cumulative passenger journeys since its launch in March 2019. The development, shared by officials from Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MahaMetro), marks a major indicator of the growing public adoption of clean, efficient, and sustainable urban mobility solutions in tier-II Indian cities.
The network, which currently operates two corridors over a 38.2-km stretch, has seen ridership accelerate year-on-year, particularly following the completion of Phase-I in December 2022. Officials attribute this growth not only to better connectivity but also to targeted policies such as fare concessions for students, who now comprise one-fifth of all Metro users. Students receive up to 30% discount on the Maha Card and can avail of a ₹100 daily unlimited pass. Ridership numbers rose steadily from just 55,000 in 2018–19 to nearly 2.6 crore in the 2023–24 fiscal year. As of mid-July 2025, the Metro has already logged over 92 lakh trips in the current year, positioning it well to meet the projected 3.16 crore by March 2026.
The highest daily ridership ever recorded was on 1 January 2023, when 2.2 lakh passengers boarded the network in a single day.Officials noted that the rise in Metro patronage also reflects a behavioural shift among commuters, who are opting for cleaner public transport over personal vehicles. This has had a tangible, albeit still unquantified, impact on carbon emissions in the city. While the agency has not released precise data, it has reiterated its commitment to advancing low-emission transit infrastructure and reducing vehicle congestion on roads. Accessibility continues to be a key feature of the Metro’s design. Stations are equipped with universal access features such as elevators, tactile flooring, ramps and designated seating, making travel inclusive and gender-sensitive.
The next major leap is the under-progress Phase-II, scheduled for tentative completion by December 2027. This expansion aims to enhance reach across the city’s growing residential and commercial nodes and build on the current infrastructure’s success. According to Metro planning officials, the Phase-II corridors will also focus on seamless integration with other modes of transport, especially state-run buses and non-motorised transit options. Despite the celebratory milestone, challenges remain. Ridership volumes must keep pace with operating costs, while the authority will need to deliver stronger environmental reporting to back its sustainability claims. Nevertheless, the ridership data offers a positive signal for cities aspiring to transition to sustainable transport while managing urban expansion.
As the city evolves, Nagpur Metro’s expanding footprint represents more than just numbers—it signals the start of an urban shift prioritising cleaner air, commuter ease, and future-ready infrastructure.
