Indian economy is growing at a rapid pace for the last few years. Many metropolitan cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore have seen population growth rates far exceeding other major cities of the world. With the rapid industrialization and commercial development of India, teamed with a growing population, the transport infrastructure of many cities was found to be inadequate and overburdened.
A massive public transportation infrastructure development is underway in most populated parts of India in order to reduce the transportation problems and create more employment and commercial opportunities.
The public transportation is a part of grand scheme of infrastructure development and rapid urbanization in India in order to compete with other developing and developed countries in Europe, Asia and North America.
Rapid Transit in India consists of metro, monorail and light rail systems. 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, which started operations in 1995. The Delhi Metro was India's first modern metro and the third metro overall, beginning operations in 2002. Rapid Metro Rail Gurgaon, which started operations in April 2013, is India's first privately owned and operated metro.
Delhi Metro is a rapid transit system serving Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, in the National Capital Region of India. Delhi Metro is India's first modern public transportation system, which has revolutionized travel by providing a fast, reliable, safe, and comfortable means of transport.
Bangalore Metro also known as Namma Metro, is a rapid transit system for the city of Bangalore, India.
The Jaipur Metro is a rapid transit system under construction in the city of Jaipur, India. Construction of the first part of the first line, comprising 9.2 kilometers started on November 13, 2010.
Hyderabad Metro Rail is currently under construction, for the city of Hyderabad, India. It is being implemented entirely on Public Private Partnership mode, with the state government holding a minority equity stake.
The Phase I of the project includes 3 lines covering a distance of around 71 km.
The Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System, is a metropolitan elevated railway line operated by Southern Railway.
Rapid Metrorail Gurgaon is rapid transit system in the Indian city of Gurgaon, Haryana, linked with Delhi Metro. Rapid Metro Rail Gurgaon is India's first privately owned and operated metro. The line is built and operated by Rapid Metro Rail Gurgaon and commenced commercial operations by June 2013.
Mumbai Metro
The Mumbai Metro is a rapid transit system to reduce traffic congestion in the city, and will be built in three phases over a 15-year period, with overall completion expected in 2021. When complete, the core system will comprise three high-capacity metro railway lines, spanning a total of 63 kilometers. Construction work began in February 2008. A successful trial run was conducted in May 2013, and the system's first line entered operation in January 2014.
The Navi Mumbai Metro system will consist of six elevated rail corridors covering a total distance of 117.3 kilometers. Construction work on the project began in May 2011, and the first line is expected to open in December 2014.
The Mumbai Monorail is a monorail system under construction in the city of Mumbai,
Other Important Metros developments include Kochi Metro and Metrolink Express for Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad (MEGA)
Currently, rapid transit systems operate in 5 cities and more are under construction or in planning in several cities of India. Massive investment in public transport infrastructure is one of the major priorities of the Indian government to meet the fast evolving needs of modern Indian economy and its work force.
