“Uttar Pradesh is expanding its metro network to smaller cities like Kanpur, Agra, and Varanasi, aiming to boost connectivity and economic growth. With ongoing projects and innovative systems like Metro Neo, UP is addressing urban congestion and promoting sustainable transport. Despite challenges like low initial ridership, these developments promise to reshape urban mobility.”
UP’s Metro Expansion Targets Smaller Cities for Connectivity Boost
Uttar Pradesh is witnessing a metro revolution as it extends rail networks beyond major urban centers to smaller cities, aligning with India’s broader urban mobility goals. As of 2025, the state is actively developing metro systems in cities like Kanpur, Agra, Varanasi, and Gorakhpur, with plans to integrate innovative, cost-effective solutions like Metro Neo for tier-2 cities. This expansion is part of a national push to create sustainable, efficient public transport systems, with India’s metro network recently hitting the 1,000-kilometer mark across 23 cities, making it the world’s third-largest.
In Kanpur, the metro’s Orange Line, stretching from IIT Kanpur to Motijheel, is operational, covering 23.7 km with 21 stations. The Blue Line, currently under construction, will further enhance connectivity. The Kanpur Metro, managed by the Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC), operates daily from 6 AM to 10 PM, with fares ranging from Rs 10 to Rs 30. Despite its potential, posts on X indicate mixed public sentiment, with some users noting low ridership due to route planning that misses key residential areas.
Agra’s metro, another key project, has faced criticism for underutilization. Launched in 2024, its initial 6-km priority corridor from Taj East Gate to Mankameshwar sees limited daily riders, with locals preferring e-rickshaws and tempos due to their affordability and accessibility. Social media discussions on platforms like X highlight that Agra’s metro, with 75% of its Phase 1 stations still under construction, may need more time to integrate into the city’s transport fabric.
Varanasi, a cultural and spiritual hub, is also on UP’s metro map. The proposed Varanasi Metro, with two corridors spanning 29.2 km, aims to connect key areas like BHEL to Benia Bagh and Manduadih to IIT-BHU. The project, still in the planning phase, is expected to ease traffic congestion around tourist-heavy zones like the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. However, its success will depend on addressing last-mile connectivity, a recurring issue in smaller cities.
Gorakhpur is another city set to benefit, with its metro project in the pipeline. The state government’s focus on tier-2 cities reflects the National Metro Rail Policy of 2017, which encourages cities with populations above two million to develop mass transit systems based on Comprehensive Mobility Plans. UP’s adoption of Metro Neo, a low-cost, rubber-tyred system powered by overhead traction, is particularly significant. Designed for cities with lower traffic demand (around 8,000 passengers per hour), Metro Neo offers a cost-effective alternative, with capital expenditure about 25% of conventional metro systems. Nashik’s Metro Neo, already a model for tier-2 cities, is inspiring similar plans in UP.
The state’s metro push is not without challenges. Posts on X and web reports suggest that many tier-2 city metros, including those in UP, suffer from poor route planning, leading to underutilized lines. For instance, a user on X criticized the Lucknow Metro’s airport line for bypassing major residential areas, limiting its appeal. Experts argue that metro systems in smaller cities often start with low ridership due to incomplete networks, but ridership tends to grow as lines expand and connect key urban hubs, as seen in Pune and Ahmedabad.
Economically, metro projects are driving real estate growth. Properties within a kilometer of metro stations in UP’s cities have seen price hikes of 20-50%, mirroring trends in Bengaluru and Delhi-NCR. This surge reflects the metro’s role in making suburban areas more accessible, reducing travel times, and boosting economic activity. However, financial sustainability remains a concern. Studies indicate that no Indian metro system, including those in UP, covers operational costs solely through fare revenue, relying heavily on non-fare sources like advertising and real estate.
UP’s metro expansion aligns with India’s broader urban mobility vision. Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar noted in August 2024 that India’s metro network grew from 248 km in five cities before 2014 to 993 km across 23 cities, with 997 km under construction. UP’s contribution, through projects like the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor, underscores its role in this transformation. The 13-km Sahibabad to New Ashok Nagar stretch, inaugurated in January 2025, has reduced travel times significantly, setting a precedent for regional connectivity.
The state is also exploring innovations like driverless trains and integrated ticketing systems. The ‘One Nation One Card’ initiative, launched in 2019, allows seamless travel across metro, rail, and bus systems, enhancing commuter convenience. As UP’s metro network grows, addressing last-mile connectivity and public awareness will be critical to ensuring these systems become lifelines for smaller cities, much like Delhi’s metro has for the NCR.
Disclaimer: This article is based on recent news reports, web sources, and posts on X as of August 2025. Information is subject to change as projects progress. Always verify details with official sources like the Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation or the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.