The Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety completed a three-day statutory safety inspection of the remaining section between Kanpur Central and Naubasta, moving Corridor One closer to full commissioning. Nilabhra Sengupta led a five-member expert team and senior officials of the Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation on the final day, and the group boarded a metro train at Naveen Market station for a comprehensive trial run along the stretch. The inspection concluded routine trials of operational procedures and readiness checks.\n\nThe team carried out detailed assessments of signalling and telecommunication systems, civil structures, track stability and electrical installations. Evaluations also covered traction power supply, rolling stock condition and emergency response mechanisms, including advanced fire safety arrangements.\n\nKanpur Metro began operations in December 2021 when the nine-kilometre elevated priority corridor between the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur and Moti Jheel opened, and services were expanded in May 2025 with five underground stations to reach Kanpur Central. With the remaining section set to be commissioned, Corridor One will operate as a continuous route serving central and northern parts of the city. UPMRC officials indicated that full operation is the next procedural milestone.\n\nCorridor One will include IIT Kanpur, Kalyanpur railway station, SPM Hospital, CSJM University, Gurudev Chauraha, Geeta Nagar, Rawatpur railway station and Lala Lajpat Rai Hospital. It will also serve Moti Jheel, Chunni Ganj, Naveen Market, Bada Chauraha, Nayaganj, Kanpur Central railway station, Jhakarkati Bus Terminal, Transport Nagar, Kidwai Nagar, Vasant Vihar, Baudh Nagar and Naubasta.\n\nUPMRC data show daily ridership rose from around 6,000 to nearly 39,000 after the extension to Kanpur Central, and the corporation expects average daily figures to increase further to between 80,000 and 0.1 million (mn) passengers once Corridor One is fully commissioned. The authority said the metro will benefit a large population of students, working professionals, industrial workers and commuters from surrounding areas, and that improved connectivity is intended to support urban mobility and economic activity.