The transportation infrastructure in the country is developing at a fast pace. With the growth of real estate in the metropolitans, the necessity of establishing a seamless connectivity in these regions has increased manifold. A fast-paced metro network is coming up in the cities, with more than 700 Km. to be connected by metro rail in the next few years. 50 cities will get the metro connectivity in the years to come. The Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Puri, stated that the government has the vision of coming up with a well-developed metro system in the coming days.
The minister, while addressing the inaugural session of the Community of Metros (CoMET) 2018 Management Meeting at the Metro Bhawan, said that presently, 10 cities of the country have metro connectivity, with 425 Kms. of metro lines connecting the places. An additional 700 Kms. of metro lines will enhance the connectivity to a great extent. These metro projects will solve the communication requirements and transform the cities in a great way. Prime Minister Narendra is looking for a solution, with 50 cities in India having metro connectivity.
Puri explained that the Delhi Metro is the forerunner of the metro story in India. It connects 231 km. in the city and carries 3 million people every day. Within a year, the network length of the National Capital region will cross 350 Km. and Delhi Metro will emerge among the top five largest metro systems in the world. Other cities in India, too, need metro connectivity. This will be effective in tackling the growing volume of commuters in the key cities.
A senior official of the Delhi metro stated the CoMET (Community of Metros) to be a worldwide organization of metro systems. The participants from all these metro systems and the experts from the Railway and Transport Strategy Centre, Imperial College in London were present at the annual meeting that had been hosted by Delhi Metro this year.
Puri stated that the metro policy announced in the previous year would propel; the development of the metro system in the country. This policy enables private participation that involves value capital finance, private participation, innovative financing and brings more options for financing by the Government for the creation of the infrastructure of the metro rail projects. He said that the railway infrastructure has a long way to go, in order to cater to the needs of the country.
The metro systems in the country have grown at a phenomenal rate, which has created a more comfortable, safe and affordable travel infrastructure. It has also reduced pollution to a certain extent.
The global players can now invest in the country in developing these projects. A number of manufacturers, including the international brands, have come up with manufacturing units and facilities in India. The make in India project, undertaken by the government, has opened up an opportunity to develop the metro systems. In the next few years, these networks will expand rapidly, ensuring fast transportation facilities for the residents. Puri added that a number of international players are looking forward to participating in these projects.
The metro rail experts, as a part of the part of the CoMET 2018 Management Meeting, are deliberating on various issues of the aim of further enhancing the quality of metro services in the cities. DS Mishra, Delhi Metro Chairman Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary and Managing Director Dr. Mangu Singh, too, were present at the meeting.
The coming years are likely to witness a rapid growth of the metro projects in the country. This will enhance the communication facilities in India. The real estate industry in the key cities is fast developing, and the metro projects will bolster the transportation infrastructure.