The Asian Development Bank ( ADB ) has approved a US$190 million loan to support the development of the Indore Metro Rail Project, an initiative aimed at enhancing urban mobility, reducing pollution, and promoting inclusive growth in the largest and most populous city in central India‘s Madhya Pradesh.

The project will finance the construction of an 8.62-kilometre underground metro line with seven stations, connecting congested areas of Indore to the airport.

“Indore’s rapid urbanization has led to congestion, pollution, and limited mobility for vulnerable populations,” says ADB country director for India Mio Oka. “This project will not only modernize public transport but also empower women and marginalized communities through targeted employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.”

The initiative includes multimodal integration with existing bus and feeder services, improving access to educational institutions and markets. A study will be conducted to optimize connectivity between metro, airport, railway, and bus systems. The Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited will implement the project, with operations expected to begin by January 2030.

Meanwhile, ADB has approved a US$299 million loan as the final tranche of the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System ( RRTS ) Investment Project, a flagship initiative in the national capital region ( NCR ) designed to advance sustainable urban transportation.

This fourth tranche brings the total ADB financing under the multi-tranche facility, approved in 2020, to US$1.05 billion. The Delhi–Meerut RRTS, spanning 82 kilometres, is the first of three prioritized corridors in the NCR aimed at revolutionizing regional connectivity by reducing travel time between Delhi and Meerut from over three hours to just one. As of August 2025, 55km of the corridor is already operational, with 11 stations connecting New Ashok Nagar in Delhi to Meerut South.

“The project marks a transformative step in India’s urban transport landscape,” says Oka. “It not only enhances mobility but also promotes inclusive growth, environmental sustainability, and is expected to serve as a model for future regional rapid transit systems across India and the Asia-Pacific region.”

Beyond financing, ADB has supported the project by offering technical expertise in building information modelling, resilience, and value capture financing.

The project is also supported by co-financing from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is executing the project, with the National Capital Region Transport Corporation as the implementing arm.