Metro rail
Also called: Metro rail network in India · Topic: Transport and Communication in India · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 7 "Transport and Communication"
Meaning
Metro rail is a fast train system inside a city that runs on its own tracks, often underground or raised on pillars. It moves large numbers of people quickly without getting stuck in road traffic. India's first metro was in Kolkata (1984), followed by Delhi (2002). Metros now run in about two dozen Indian cities, and the network passed 1,000 km in 2025, among the world's three largest (verify current). Together with CNG buses, metros help cut air pollution in cities.
Example
The Delhi Metro, opened in 2002, links Delhi with nearby cities in the National Capital Region and carries large numbers of commuters every day.
Don't confuse with
- Suburban rail: regular Indian Railways trains that link a city to its suburbs (for example Mumbai's local trains). A metro is a separate system run inside the city.