History Of Metro Rail In India

By Ruchika Verma

• Metro Rails are one of the easiest and most comfortable ways of commuting
• Starting with underground railway system in Kolkata the metro rail has come a long way
• Delhi Metro was the first modern metro rail in India

Railways are definitely one of the largest and most convenient forms of transportation. And metro rail is more than convenient, it is the lifeline of most of the metropolitan cities in India.

Metro has made everyday commute very easy for people. It is time-saving, cost-effective and most of all, convenient and comfortable. However, what really is the history of metro rail in India? When did it start and where was the first metro in India started?

Wherever Metro is available, people are using it to its fullest. It is natural to be curious about its history too, here is a brief history of metro in India.

The First Metro in India

Delhi may be the first city where modern metro rail system was introduced, but it is not the first city which saw the first metro system in India.

The first metro system was introduced in Kolkata and it completely an underground one. The idea of an underground railway system was conceived by the then Chief Miniter of West Bengal, Bidhan Chandra Roy in the 1950s. The first Kolkata Metro was run on run on 24 October 1984 between Dam Dam to Tollygunge. And since then many plans have laid out and carried out successfully to expand the metro rail system in Kolkata.

Also Read: 10 llittle-knownfacts about Delhi Metro which makes it distinct

How The Other Cities Followed

The history of metro in India may have started in Kolkata. But the modern metro rail history in India definitely starts with Delhi. When one is talking about the history of Metro, one of the most prominent names which come to our mind is, Elattuvalapil Sreedharan, also popularly known as the 'Metro Man'. He was the mastermind behind the Delhi Metro. The popularity of metro rail system in India is all a fruit of his hard work, efforts and dedication.

The first metro in Delhi was run in 2002, which was the Red Line. After it, the Rapid Metro Rail Gurgaon started in November 2013. It was India's first privately owned & operated metro.

Metro rail in India uses both standard gauges and broad gauges. Delhi Metro used broad gauge for their earliest lines, but the new metros in other states like Mumbai Metro and Bangalore Metro as well are using the standard gauge.

The metro systems are now also developed in Jaipur, Hyderabad and Chennai. Soon, the metro will also be functional in Lucknow.

Also Read: 'Delhi Metro Cruelly Killed my 'Achhe Din" : Here is why Passengers are dumping the popular mode of travel

Metro has come a long way and has even a longer way to go. The developments are going at a fast pace and without a doubt, new and better technologies are in store for all of us in India.