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Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited is set to mark the 12th foundation day of the Nagpur Metro on Wednesday, counting the years since construction of the city's metro system began. Over the years, the project has achieved several engineering and environmental milestones and has become a symbol of modern development
in Nagpur. However, as the metro network expands further, challenges such as low ridership, weak last-mile connectivity, and commercial viability remain important concerns.
Officials' Opinions
According to sources, MahaMetro Managing Director Shravan Hardikar said the journey so far has been impressive. He described the metro as a major growth driver for Nagpur and highlighted achievements such as the double-decker viaduct and timely project execution, calling them major technological successes for the city.
Nagpur Metro Phase II
Phase I of Nagpur Metro is now fully operational. Work on Phase II is progressing on corridors leading to Kanhan, Butibori MIDC, Hingna, and Transport Nagar, with around half of the pier construction already completed. MahaMetro is also planning Phase III, which proposes adding 55 km of new routes. This would increase the total planned network to nearly 129 km, making it one of the longest metro systems among tier-II cities in India. Phase III is expected to include Nagpur's first underground metro sections and driverless trains.
Issues Faced by Nagpur Metro
Despite expansion, ridership remains lower than expected. While the Phase I DPR had projected over four lakh daily passengers by 2026, the current average daily ridership is only about 1 to 1.2 lakh. Hardikar said this is common for metro systems and that ridership will grow as more corridors open and the city develops.
Another major issue is poor first- and last-mile connectivity. Limited parking, feeder buses, and pedestrian facilities force commuters to depend on autos and cabs. MahaMetro plans to address this by improving bus integration and introducing around 300 feeder buses later this year.
Commercial revenue is also lagging, with nearly half of the station retail spaces lying vacant. Officials believe this will improve as passenger numbers rise. As Nagpur Metro enters its 12th year, its future success will depend on better connectivity, higher ridership, and smoother integration with the city's transport network.
