India is witnessing significant updates to its transportation infrastructure, particularly with its metro systems and railway stations, aimed at enhancing urban mobility and connecting more passengers efficiently.
One of the key developments is taking place in Kolkata, where the metro system has received its highest allocation ever for the Orange Line's Phase II. With investment reaching Rs 1,791 crore, the revised plans aim to resolve land acquisition issues at several pivotal points, including Metropolitan, Chingrighata, and Nicco Park.
Initially, the plan was to launch the 4.5-km Ruby-Metropolitan section, which received nods for commissioning last year; instead, the focus has shifted to extending the corridor by 8.8 km beyond Ruby to Sector V. According to railway officials, this section is slated for commissioning by the first quarter of the upcoming fiscal year, aligning with the anticipated commencement of the full 16.6 km of the East-West Metro.
The East-West Metro, connecting Howrah Maidan to various stops on the EM Bypass and the Salt Lake Bypass, has also been allocated Rs 906 crore for its final stages. Completion of the civil construction for the challenging Esplanade-Sealdah section indicates progress, as stated by officials.
“Funds are disbursed according to the availability of site,” explained one of the railway officials overseeing the project. Positive feedback has been received about the Orange Line, especially as the implementing agency Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) has succeeded after over six years of pursuing access to key sites.
Yet, challenges remain with the Orange Line, particularly concerning its airport link, which is expected to encounter delays. Land acquisition issues are currently hampering RVNL's ability to build the necessary stabling yard. Given this uncertainty, Kolkata Metro will initiate the city's first airport link from the Yellow Line, which starts at Noapara and has been allocated Rs 200 crore.
Meanwhile, Nagpur Metro is also making strides, reaching nearly 1.5 lakh daily peak ridership, with averages hovering around 1 lakh. Yet, one glaring issue has emerged: the Airport Metro station, which is merely one kilometer from the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, struggles to attract sufficient commuters. With daily ridership averaging 530, the station's usage has not surpassed 1,000 passengers since July 2024. This disparity is attributed to operational mismatches.
According to the Comprehensive Mobility Plan prepared by MahaMetro, approximately 87% of travelers heading to the airport still rely on taxis or ride-hailing services rather than utilizing the Metro. With Meta operations limited to the hours from 6 am to 10 pm, many travelers find themselves forced to seek alternative transport options, especially since multiple flights operate outside of these hours.
Army officer Rahul More, who frequently uses the Airport Metro station, lamented the inefficiencies of current arrangements: “I usually rely on the shuttle bus service from Airport Metro Station to the Airport. But the long waiting time often compels me to opt for pre-booked cabs or autorickshaw.”
The shuttle service, which is supposed to bridge the distance between the Metro station and the airport, has not alleviated the growing concerns. Each bus can ferry only 25-30 passengers, and with initial waiting times of 15 minutes now increasing to 30 or more, frustration is mounting. College student Chuimipen Rayi noted, “I mostly fly on early morning or late-night flights, but there's no shuttle bus service during those hours.”
Efforts are being made to improve this situation. Anil Kokate, MahaMetro’s Director of Strategic Planning, stated, “We have received written complaints about the feeder service at the Airport Metro station,” and discussions are underway to explore options for directly connecting the station to the airport.
Beyond the metro upgrades, India’s railway stations remain central to its public transit framework. Stations such as Howrah Junction, New Delhi Railway Station, and Kanpur Central are among the busiest, facilitating millions of daily passengers. Howrah Junction, for example, manages over 1,000 daily trains with 23 platforms, earning the title of the busiest railway station nationwide.
New Delhi Railway Station handles around 500,000 daily passengers, with numbers peaking during festive seasons. Kanpur Central, with its strategic links to major cities, stands as the third busiest, supporting significant rail traffic.
Such infrastructures are becoming increasingly important as urban populations grow. The effectiveness of these transportation networks can significantly influence local economies and accessibility, directly impacting daily commutes and long-distance travel. Enhancing connectivity through new metro projects and efficient railway operations remains pivotal as India seeks to modernize its transportation infrastructure.
Overall, as India continues to invest heavily in its transport systems, it remains to be seen how these changes will reshape the commuting experience for millions of residents nationwide, particularly as city infrastructures expand and adapt to the dynamically changing urban landscapes.