The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MahaMetro) has begun the process of appointing consultants to assess and register its Pune and Nagpur Metro systems under international carbon credit programmes, in a bid to monetise their sustainability initiatives and strengthen their green credentials.

Metro’s Green Performance Under Review

Both the Pune and Nagpur Metro networks already operate with strong sustainability measures. Around 65 per cent of their total power demand is currently met through solar energy generated from panels installed on station rooftops, depot walls, and open grounds.

Other eco-friendly practices include rainwater harvesting, bio-digester systems, and green building technologies. Notably, all Nagpur Metro stations have received IGBC Green Building Certification, placing them among India’s most environmentally responsible transport facilities.

Consultant To Verify And Register Credits

The appointed consultant will be responsible for carbon accounting, data validation, and registration of sustainability projects — such as solar power generation, regenerative braking, and the modal shift from private vehicles to metro transport — under recognised carbon credit frameworks.

The initiative, jointly funded by the Central Government and the Government of Maharashtra, will run for 24 months for setup and assessment, followed by a seven-year operational phase during which verified carbon credits will be generated and traded internationally.

Each carbon credit represents a reduction of one tonne of CO? emissions and currently holds a market value between USD 5 and USD 25 per tonne. The consultant will receive a performance-linked share of the revenue generated through credit sales.

Expanding Metro Footprints

MahaMetro currently manages:

Nagpur Metro – a 38 km operational network with 37 stations, with Phase II under construction to add another 43.8 km.

Pune Metro – spanning 33 km across two operational corridors, with steady growth in both ridership and revenue.

If successfully implemented, the carbon credit registration could help both metros generate several million rupees annually, while further reinforcing MahaMetro’s commitment to climate-resilient, low-carbon public transport.