Union Minister for Power, Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal said that metro services are expanding rapidly across the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Today, this network has grown to 1,066 km across 24 cities, with another 970 km metro service in the pipeline.
In 2014, metro services were available over just 248 km in 5 cities.
Once the work is completed, India will emerge as the world’s number one country in metro service availability, he said, while addressing the gathering as the chief guest at the Gurugram Metro Bhoomi Pujan program, organised by Gurugram Metro Rail Limited at the Gurugram University Campus Auditorium on Friday.
The 28.5 km-long Metro corridor from Millennium City Centre to Cyber City up to Dwarka Expressway, costing about Rs 5,500 crore will include 27 stations and connect new and old Gurugram.
Manohar Lal said that metro services are being expanded to provide convenience and better mobility to the people. He assured that wherever metro connectivity is needed across the country, the Urban Ministry will ensure timely approvals and implementation.
Congratulating the people of Gurugram and the NCR for this project, he said that better transport facilities will save both time and money.
The Union Minister further said that the Urban Ministry will provide 10,000 buses at concessional rates across the country, out of which 450 will be allotted to Haryana, including 100 buses dedicated to Gurugram.
He added that to improve last-mile connectivity, transport facilities linked with metro stations will be made available through an app-based system, which will ensure safety and allow fare payments through metro cards, eliminating parking issues.
The Union Minister also administered a cleanliness pledge to the public, urging everyone to adopt cleanliness as a way of life. He said that with the cooperation of social and business organisations, every citizen must contribute to keeping their surroundings clean.
Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini welcomed Union Minister Manohar Lal on his arrival in Gurugram and expressed gratitude to the Central Government for gifting the new metro project to the city.
He said, “Today is a historic day for Gurugram. Together, we are fulfilling a long-awaited dream. This metro service will benefit every citizen by reducing traffic congestion, saving travel time, decreasing pollution, and creating new employment opportunities. Metro stations have been strategically planned at key locations such as Subhash Chowk, Hero Honda Chowk, Udyog Vihar, Palam Vihar, and the Railway Station.”
He said that the project, to be completed within the next four years, will give Gurugram a distinct new identity. He further informed that metro extensions from Rejangla Chowk to Dwarka Sector-21 and Sector-56 to Pachgaon, as well as the NaMo Metro Corridor Delhi–Karnal, Delhi–Neemrana, and Gurugram–Noida via Faridabad, are also part of the future plans. These projects will connect Gurugram more deeply with Delhi and the entire NCR. This metro is not just a means of transport, it is a symbol of progress, he added.
Saini said that Haryana is progressing under the decisive leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “We will do what we have promised. Our policy, intention, and leadership are clear. Under Modi ji’s leadership, India has witnessed a decisive and transparent government, bringing unprecedented change in work culture. Our goal is the balanced development of the entire state, and we will leave no stone unturned to make Gurugram the most developed city in the country,” he said.