Kanpur's metro system ushered in 2025 with a historic achievement, crossing the significant milestone of 1 crore (10 million) cumulative passengers on January 1, Thursday. The New Year's Day saw a surge in ridership as residents opted for a hassle-free metro journey amidst heavy road traffic across the city.
New Year Celebrations Fuel Record Ridership
While most city roads were clogged with vehicles, Kanpur Metro provided a comfortable, smooth, and punctual alternative. Metro stations transformed into vibrant hubs of activity throughout the day. Special book fairs organized at Motijheel, Bada Chauraha, and Kanpur Central Metro stations attracted large crowds, adding to the festive footfall. Passenger movement continued well into the late evening, with the day's ridership estimated to reach approximately 35,000 passengers by the close of revenue operations at 10 PM.
Leadership Expresses Gratitude and Outlines Future Growth
Sushil Kumar, the Managing Director of Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (UPMRC), confirmed the landmark. "Kanpur metro's cumulative ridership crossed the 1 crore mark on Thursday," he stated. Kumar linked the achievement to public trust and highlighted future expansion plans. "With the expansion of passenger services up to Naubasta and the commencement of Corridor-2 (from CSA to Barra-8) in the New Year, passenger numbers are expected to rise further. We are sincerely thankful to the citizens of Kanpur for their continued trust in Kanpur Metro," he added.
A Testament to Urban Mobility Success
This milestone underscores the rapid adoption and essential role of the Kanpur Metro in the city's public transportation network. The contrast between congested surface roads and the efficient metro service on a busy day like New Year's reinforces its value. The successful integration of community events like book fairs within stations also points to a strategy of creating multipurpose public spaces, further enhancing rider experience and engagement.
