The Kanpur Metro is a mass rapid transit (MRT) system in the Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. The metro is owned and operated by the Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) and it partially opened within 2 years of construction starting in 2019 making it the fastest constructed mass rapid transit system in the world. The metro services in Kanpur, often referred to as the "heart of Uttar Pradesh", will significantly enhance the city’s infrastructure. This development will pave the way for further growth, particularly supporting the educational and IT sectors. The first Metro Train for Kanpur is eco-friendly and is equipped with modern energy efficient propulsion system, making them a sustainable alternative to other modes of transport. Not only this, a ‘Regenerative Braking’ system, 100% LED light fittings and a carbon-dioxide sensor based air-conditioning make these trains highly energy efficient. Kanpur Metro will be expanded further to Kanpur Airport and Trans Ganga City in the future.

History

The feasibility study for the project was done by RITES in June 2015. The government approved two corridors as per Detailed Project Report (DPR). The tenders were floated for the priority section of corridor-1 between IIT Kanpur to Motijheel. The company Afcons Infrastructure was awarded the tender. On 28 February 2019, the Central Government approved the metro project for Kanpur at an estimated cost of ₹ 11,076.48 crores and a five-year time limit. Construction work began on 15 November 2019, with the first section opening in December 2021. In phase 1, the Orange Line began with the 8.98 km (5.3 mi) stretch from IIT Kanpur to Motijheel. The metro will be extendable in the following phases to the Kanpur metropolitan area. The first phase was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 28 December 2021.

Route Network

Phase 1

In Phase 1, 21 metro stations will be built on Orange Line from IIT Kanpur to Naubasta and 8 metro stations will be built on Blue Line from Agriculture University to Barra-8.

Current Phases

Current network

Operations

The trains operate at a frequency of five minutes between 06:00 am and 10:00 pm currently which will gradually reduce with ridership. The trains will operate with ATO over CBTC, with a design speed of 90 km/h and an operational speed of 80 km/h. Automated station announcements are recorded in Hindi and English. Many stations will have services such as ATMs, food outlets, cafés, convenience stores and mobile recharge. Eating, drinking, smoking and chewing gum are prohibited in the entire system.

Ticketing and recharge

Fare collection

Kanpur Metro GoSmart Card

State Bank of India and Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) has introduced Kanpur Metro GoSmart Card to metro passengers. Through this Metro card service, passengers can travel without the hassle of being in the ticket queue. An EVM chip based card can be recharged in a range of Rs.100 to Rs.2000 and in multiples of 100. Metro passengers can get 10% off on their fares if transactions are made through cards.

Construction Detail

Elevated viaduct work has begun, more than 400 out of 538 pillars have been constructed and all the 439 double T-girders have been erected for making the base of the 9 stations of priority corridor. The pier caps and U-girders are being erected and construction work is going in full swing. The priority section of corridor-1 became operational in December 2021.

Awards

● Kanpur Metro was awarded with India's best design award. ● Kanpur Metro is the fastest constructed metro system in the world. ● Kanpur Metro receives an award for environment protection from Delhi's Greentech Foundation. ● Kanpur Metro's priority corridor gets 'Effective Safety Culture. ● UPMRC's Kanpur Metro receives a platinum rating by IGBC.

Rolling stock

In July 2020, Bombardier Transportation (acquired by Alstom) won the Agra Metro and Kanpur Metro rolling stock, and the signalling contract and manufacturing started on 26 Feb 2021. UPMRC's Managing Director Shri Kumar Keshav inaugurated the Rolling Stocks (Metro Trains) manufacturing in Bombardier's Savli Plant in Gujarat, located near Vadodara. Kanpur to get total 39 trains of 3 Metro coaches (which would total up to 117 compartments) each for both the corridors of the Kanpur Metro Project, including Corridor-I i.e. From IIT to Naubasta and Corridor-II i.e. From Agriculture University to Barra-8. These trains have been designed with assistance from Bombardier Germany and design experts at Bombardier's Hyderabad office. The trains are in line with utmost passenger safety and energy conservation, and each train is equipped with Communication Based Train Control System (CBTC) for Automatic Train Operations. These trains will also be equipped with sensor-based air-conditioning system to save energy during operations. Valued at approximately ₹2051 crore (245 Mn EUR), Alstom's scope on the Agra-Kanpur metro project includes – the design, build and delivery of total 201 metro cars (67 MOVIA metro three-car trainsets) and an advanced signalling solution (CITYFLO 650).

Places of Tourist interest on Priority Corridor

Cost

The cost of construction is estimated at ₹11,076.48 crores for two lines in Phase I.

Timeline

Network map