Metro-rail in India high on construction cost

01 Apr 2019 Editorial Team

The cost of a metro project depends on the geographical location as well as many development constraints and requirements.

According to Rahul Shah, COO-Urban Infrastructure, Tata Projects, “The overall construction costs invested in materials, equipment and electrical components depend on various parameters.” In fact, all these parameters are specified within tenders, which itself differ from one another.

Based on the data available in various DPR, Mohammad Athar, Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers, says, “The cost of an elevated metro project is in the range of Rs 2.25-300 billion per km and underground metro is about Rs 5.50-5.75 billion per km.”

For his part, Nalin Gupta, Managing Director, J Kumar Infraprojects, says the overall cost invested in construction materials, equipment and electrical components, etc, on average, is 50-60 per cent. Commenting on the per-km construction cost involved in underground metro, he shares, “It depends upon availability of specialised machinery and equipment (owned/hired/new) and experts to operate it. As for elevated metro, it depends upon availability of machinery and equipment and experienced men and the location of the site.” He adds that average investment return depends upon the availability of funds (capital plus interest for construction purpose).

Take the case of the Nagpur Metro project. According to Sunil Mathur, Director (Rolling Stock & Systems), Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation, about 10 per cent of the total project cost comprises electrical installation. “The per-km construction cost for the traction distribution system (TRD) of the elevated metro line comes to around Rs 100 million (per route km),” he shares.

SHRIYAL SETHUMADHAVAN

Infrastructure Urban

13 Oct 2025

Daikin Boosts Haryana’s Innovation Push with Rs 10 billion R&D Plan

Japanese multinational Daikin Industries has committed an investment of Rs 10 billion to set up a new research and development centre in Haryana. The proposed facility will focus on advanced technologies and sustainable industrial solutions, marking a significant boost to the state’s innovation and industrial ecosystem. The announcement follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Osaka, Japan, during a visit by a Haryana government delegation held from October 6 to 8. The MoU was signed by Amit Kumar Agrawal, Commissioner and Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, ..

Lloyds Metals to Build Rs 250 billion Steel Plant in Gadchiroli

Lloyds Metals & Energy Limited (LMEL) has announced an investment of Rs 250 billion aimed at transforming Gadchiroli in Maharashtra from a region once associated with the red corridor into a key industrial and growth hub. The company’s plans are centred on establishing an integrated steel production ecosystem, which will contribute significantly to regional development and employment. As part of its expansion strategy, LMEL is setting up a 4.5-million-tonne blast furnace in Gadchiroli, scheduled for completion by 2027–28, along with another 1.2-million-tonne facility in Chandrapur by 2029..

UPI Crosses 500 Million Users, Fuels MSME and Digital Growth

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has achieved a new milestone, surpassing 500 million consumers and 65 million merchants across India. The platform, developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has expanded its reach to nearly 99 percent of the country’s pin codes, underlining its deep penetration into both urban and rural markets. According to a report by NPCI and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) launched during the Global Fintech Fest 2025, UPI has evolved from being a digital payments mechanism into a key enabler of financial inclusion and small business growth. I..