Kanpur – Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the extended passenger services of the Kanpur Metro from CSA Grounds in the gracious presence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. With this inauguration, five new underground stations—Chunniganj, Naveen Market, Bada Chauraha, Nayaganj, and Kanpur Central—have been added to the city’s growing metro network.
Starting tomorrow (May 31), commuters will be able to travel on the nearly 16-kilometre stretch from IIT Kanpur to Kanpur Central across 14 stations, beginning from 6:00 AM.
At around 2:30 PM, PM Modi arrived at the public gathering at CSA Ground, where he pressed a remote and waved the green flag to officially launch the service extension. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said,
“Facilities and infrastructure once limited to only big metros are now becoming a reality in cities like Kanpur. A few years ago, our government gifted the city its first metro, and today the Orange Line has reached Kanpur Central. From elevated to underground, the metro is now connecting crucial areas of the city. People once doubted whether such a project could be possible in Kanpur, but today, its successful operation stands as a testimony to our determination.”
He further noted that Kanpur has always been a major commercial hub, and the metro would now make it easier for traders and customers alike to access key markets like Naveen Market and Bada Chauraha. “Modern connectivity and transport infrastructure are shaping a new future for Uttar Pradesh. Today, our UP is leading in connectivity and infrastructure,” the PM added.
CM Yogi Adityanath welcomed the Prime Minister and lauded the milestone, saying,
“With this inauguration, Kanpur—an industrial city—receives a new identity, and its traffic system has become stronger. I extend my heartfelt congratulations.”
Immediately after the flag-off, at 3:21 PM, a specially decorated Kanpur Metro train departed from Nayaganj station. Inside the train were children from various schools and NGOs, waving the national flag and carrying hand-drawn posters dedicated to Kanpur Metro and Operation Sindoor. The train was operated by women drivers Karishma Gupta and Deeksha Rajput and travelled between Nayaganj and Chunniganj before returning.
From tomorrow, passengers can travel from IIT to Kanpur Central. Stations will welcome commuters with roses and sweets. Tickets will be available via counters, vending machines, National Common Mobility Cards (NCMC), and the Kanpur Metro App.
This marks the second major milestone for Kanpur Metro under PM Modi’s leadership. On December 28, 2021, the PM had inaugurated the priority corridor from IIT Kanpur to Motijheel.
Expressing pride in the metro’s expansion, UP Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) Managing Director Sushil Kumar said, “The city’s long-cherished dream has turned into reality. We are deeply grateful to the people of Kanpur for their continued support throughout the construction phase. This achievement is the result of relentless dedication from UPMRC and our contracting agency teams, who delivered this feat within a limited timeline.”
