UP government has set the goal of ‘Viksit UP@2047’, where metro connectivity is being viewed as a crucial engine of transformation. Imagine, if in the next 20 years, shining metro corridors sprawl across seven major cities of Uttar Pradesh and link them with highway-like speed, the pace of urban life could change entirely. It is precisely this vision that the Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) is working to turn into reality.
Mega plan for a 850 km metro network by 2047
In line with the state government’s ‘Viksit UP@2047’ vision, UPMRC has unveiled a detailed blueprint aimed at developing a total of 850 kilometres of metro routes by 2047. Lucknow, Kanpur, and Agra are the primary focus areas, where over 350 kilometres of new corridors have been proposed. The broader objective is to make travel easier, reduce pollution, and inject fresh momentum into the state’s economy.
Revealed at Urban Mobility India 2025
This comprehensive plan was made public on the final day of the 18th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference and Expo 2025 held in Gurugram. Union Urban Development Minister Manohar Lal Khattar inaugurated the three-day event on November 7, where discussions centred around smart transport, policy formulation, and sustainable growth. At the event, UPMRC Managing Director Sushil Kumar presented this vision during the session on ‘Non-Fare Revenue Strategy’. He informed that currently, 23 km of metro is operational in Lucknow, 9 km in Kanpur, and 6 km in Agra. Additionally, construction is underway on 23 km in Kanpur and 24 km in Agra. In total, a 303-km expansion has been planned for these three cities, which will form the backbone of the 850-km target.
Metro stations: not just transit, but mini-markets
Kumar stated that metro systems are not merely about trains—they are designed to offer a safe, hassle-free travel experience while transforming stations into hubs of commercial and social activity. To enhance non-fare revenue, UPMRC is adopting models such as property development, advertising, kiosks, book fairs, and stalls for NGOs and self-help groups. Recent data shows that non-fare income now accounts for nearly 40% of UPMRC’s total revenue, becoming a major support for operations and maintenance.
UPMRC’s edge in Tier-2 cities
In the latest ‘i-Metro’ Key Performance Index (KPI), UPMRC has outperformed other metro systems in the Tier-2 category. According to Kumar, UPMRC ranks at the top in financial and operational efficiency, reflecting strong passenger satisfaction and revenue management capabilities. The vision document also emphasises developing Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Meerut, and Gorakhpur into world-class metro hubs. Under ‘Viksit UP@2047’, the state aims to increase the level of urbanisation to 35%.
