India has emerged as the world's third-largest metro rail network, with over 1,143 km of operational metro lines spread across 29 cities, as confirmed in March 2026. The network serves approximately 1.15 crore (11.5 million) passenger journeys daily . Additionally, around 936 km of metro lines are currently under construction, which will further expand the network in the coming years.

India's metro expansion has been dramatic — growing from just 5 cities in 2014 to 29 cities in 2026. China holds the world's largest metro network, while the United States ranks second. India now surpasses countries like Japan, France, and Germany in metro network scale. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) leads with the longest single-city metro network in India.

From a policy standpoint, this growth is driven by the Smart Cities Mission, AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation), and dedicated metro rail policies that have channelled public investment into urban mass transit. Metro rail expansion directly reduces vehicular pollution, eases road congestion, and supports economic productivity in urban centres.

For Rajasthan, the Jaipur Metro — operational since 2015 — covers the Pink City's key corridors. The state government has been pursuing Phase 2 extensions covering areas like Sitapura and Ambabari. Urban transit expansion in Jaipur is critical given the city's rapidly growing population and its designation as a Smart City under the central government's urban development initiative.