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What You'll Find in This Guide
Whether you're a daily commuter, a first-time visitor, or a Nagpurian trying to figure out if the metro finally reaches your neighbourhood — this is the only guide you need. We've compiled everything that's changed in 2026: active stations, updated fares, Phase 2 expansion progress, smart card tips, and the route map you can actually read.
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Nagpur Metro — At a Glance
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38.2 km
Network
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37+
Active Stations
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2
Lines
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₹10
Min. Fare
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2019
Inaugurated
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1. Overview: What Is Nagpur Metro?
Nagpur Metro — officially operated by Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha-Metro) — is one of India's newer rapid transit systems, and it's growing fast. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated commercial operations on 8 March 2019, covering the first stretch between Khapri and Sitabuldi.
By December 2022, the entire Phase 1 was complete and operational. As of 2026, the metro runs across 38.2 km with 37+ stations on two colour-coded lines, carrying hundreds of thousands of passengers every day.
Operated by: Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha-Metro)
A Joint Venture of: Government of India and Government of Maharashtra
What makes Nagpur Metro stand out? It's not just a commuter lifeline — it's India's greenest metro, powered significantly by solar energy, and holds a Guinness World Record for the longest double-decker viaduct on Wardha Road.
2. The Two Active Lines: Orange & Aqua
Nagpur Metro has two operational corridors that intersect at the city's commercial heart — Sitabuldi. Each line is colour-coded and covers a distinct geographic corridor.
2A. Orange Line (Line 1) — North–South Corridor
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Route
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Automotive Square ↔ Khapri
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Length
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~19.7 km
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Stations
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18 active stations
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Travel Time
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~35 minutes end to end
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Airport Access
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Yes — Airport Metro Station on this line
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Key Interchange
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Sitabuldi (connects to Aqua Line)
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Orange Line Stations (North to South)
Automotive Square · Nari Road · Indora Square · Kadvi Square · GaddiGodam Square · Kasturchand Park · Zero Mile Freedom Park · Sitabuldi (Interchange) · Congress Nagar · Rahate Colony · Ajni Square · Chhatrapati Square · Jaiprakash Nagar · Ujwal Nagar · Jail Road · Airport · Wadi · Khapri
2B. Aqua Line (Line 2) — East–West Corridor
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Route
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Prajapati Nagar ↔ Lokmanya Nagar
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Length
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~18.5 km
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Stations
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20 active stations
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Travel Time
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~33 minutes end to end
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Railway Station
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Yes — Nagpur Junction access on this line
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Key Interchange
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Sitabuldi (connects to Orange Line)
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Aqua Line Stations (East to West)
Prajapati Nagar · Vaishno Devi Square · Ambedkar Square · Telephone Exchange · ChittarOli Square · Agrasen Square · Dosar Vaisya Square · Nagpur Railway Station · Cotton Market · Sitabuldi (Interchange) · Jhansi Rani Square · Institute of Engineers · Shankar Nagar Square · LAD Square · Dharampeth College · Subhash Nagar · Rachana Ring Road Junction · Vasudev Nagar · Bansi Nagar · Lokmanya Nagar
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🔁 The Only Interchange: Sitabuldi (Fountain)
Sitabuldi is the sole interchange station where passengers can switch between the Orange and Aqua lines at no extra fare. It sits right in Nagpur's bustling city centre, making it the metro's busiest and most strategically important stop. Plan your cross-city journeys around it.
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3. Nagpur Metro Fare Chart 2026
Nagpur Metro uses a station-count based fare system — one of the most straightforward in India. There are just three fare slabs for regular single journeys, plus smart card discounts and a day pass option.
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Stations Travelled
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Token Fare
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Maha Card (10% off)
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Student Card (30% off)
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0 – 2 stations
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₹10
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₹9
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₹7
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3 – 6 stations
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₹20
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₹18
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₹14
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7+ stations
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₹30
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₹27
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₹21
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Daily Unlimited Pass
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₹100 — Unlimited rides for the entire day
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Children (below 90 cm)
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FREE when accompanied by an adult
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💳 Maha Card — The Smart Commuter's Choice
The Maha Card (an SBI rechargeable smart card) gives regular commuters a flat 10% discount on every journey, while students enrolled in the scheme get a whopping 30% off. If you ride the metro more than twice a week, the card pays for itself quickly. Available at all station ticket counters. With a maximum fare of just ₹30 for any journey across the entire network, Nagpur Metro remains one of the most affordable urban transit options in India.
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4. Train Timings & Service Frequency
Nagpur Metro runs on a reliable daily schedule that serves both early risers and late-night travellers. Both lines operate on the same schedule:
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Parameter
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Orange Line
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Aqua Line
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First Train
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6:00 AM
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6:00 AM
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Last Train
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~10:30 PM
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~10:30 PM
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Peak Frequency
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7–12 minutes
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7–12 minutes
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Days of Operation
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Mon–Sun, incl. holidays
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Mon–Sun, incl. holidays
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For exact real-time schedules and any service updates, always check the official Maha Metro app or the website at metrorailnagpur.com — schedules can occasionally change during festivals, maintenance windows, or special events.
5. How to Buy Tickets in 2026
Nagpur Metro has made ticketing impressively seamless. You have four ways to pay your fare:
• Token: Token (Single Journey): Buy at ticket counters or kiosks at any station. Fast, no setup needed — ideal for occasional riders.
• Maha Card: Maha Card (Smart Card): Rechargeable SBI card with 10% (regular) or 30% (student) discount. Tap in, tap out — no queue at counters. Available at all station ticket counters.
• Maha Metro App: QR Code via Maha Metro App: Download the official app, book your ticket, and show the QR code at the gate. Works on both Android and iOS.
• WhatsApp Ticketing: QR Code via WhatsApp: Send 'Hi' to the official Maha Metro WhatsApp number, follow the prompts, and get a scannable QR ticket — no app download required. A hidden gem most Nagpurians don't know about.
6. Phase 2 Expansion: New Stations & Routes
This is the big news for 2026. Nagpur Metro Phase 2 will add 43.8 km of new track and 30+ new stations, extending the metro to the outer reaches of the city and connecting rural Nagpur district with the urban core. The foundation stone was laid by PM Modi in December 2022, and construction began in November 2023.
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Phase 2 at a Glance
Total new length: 43.8 km | New stations: 30+ | Avg. station spacing: 1.2 km Connecting: Kanhan (north), Butibori MIDC (south), Transport Nagar/Kapsi (east), Hingna (west)
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Phase 2 — Reach-wise Breakdown
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Reach
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Route
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Details
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Status
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Reach 3A
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Lokmanya Nagar → Hingna
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6.4 km, Aqua Line extension
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Active (2025)
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Reach 2A
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Automotive Square → Kanhan River
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13 km, 12 elevated stations (north)
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Under Construction
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Reach 1A
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Khapri → Butibori MIDC
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18.7 km, 10 stations (south/industrial)
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Target: Nov 2027
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Reach 4A
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Prajapati Nagar → Transport Nagar (Kapsi)
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Aqua Line eastern extension
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Approved/Planned
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All four Phase 2 reaches share an average station spacing of 1.2 km — denser than Phase 1, ensuring more walkable catchment areas. Full Phase 2 completion is expected by 2027, though the Reach 3A section (Hingna) is already serving passengers since mid-2025.
Phase 3 — Already in the Pipeline
MahaMetro has finalised a new corridor under Phase 3 connecting Sitabuldi to Koradi, as part of Nagpur's Comprehensive Mobility Plan. The decision was taken in a high-level meeting attended by CM Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in July 2025. A proposed extension further to Khaparkheda has also been tabled by Savner MLA Ashish Deshmukh.
7. Record-Breaking & Unique Features
World's Longest Double-Decker Viaduct
Nagpur Metro holds a Guinness World Record — the 3.14 km stretch on Wardha Road is built as a double-decker viaduct: a highway on the lower level and the metro running above it. If you've ever wondered why the metro seems to float over traffic on Wardha Road, this is why. It's one of the great feats of civil engineering in modern India.
Zero Mile Freedom Park Station
Located near the geographical centre of India (the Zero Milestone), Zero Mile Freedom Park station features a unique 20-storey tower structure and is a popular tourist attraction in its own right. It's the one metro station in India you can visit just for the history — not just to catch a train.
Direct Airport Connectivity
The Airport Metro Station on the Orange Line connects directly to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport. Skip the cab, avoid traffic — the metro is by far the most reliable way to reach the airport, especially during peak hours on Wardha Road.
India's Greenest Metro
Maha-Metro has invested heavily in solar panels across station rooftops and depots. Nagpur Metro is one of the few metro systems in India to run largely on green energy, aligning with the city's broader sustainability goals and earning its reputation as India's greenest metro.
Bicycle-Friendly Transit
Unusually for an Indian metro, cycles are permitted aboard trains for a nominal fee. Combined with the cycle-sharing infrastructure at select stations, this makes last-mile connectivity genuinely multimodal — a rare feature in Indian mass transit.
8. Insider Tips for Nagpur Metro Riders
• Timing: Avoid the 9 AM rush at Sitabuldi: The interchange is extremely busy between 8:45 AM and 10 AM on weekdays. Travel 15 minutes earlier or later to avoid crowding at platform gates.
• Day Pass: Get the ₹100 Day Pass for city exploration: If you plan to cross 4+ journeys in a day — Museum → Zero Mile → Sitabuldi Market → Airport — the unlimited daily pass at ₹100 is easily worth it.
• Digital Tickets: WhatsApp tickets are the fastest: For single journeys, the WhatsApp QR ticket skips the counter entirely. Send 'Hi' to the Maha Metro WhatsApp number before you reach the station.
• Luggage: Baggage limit is 15 kg: Luggage must stay under 15 kg and within 60 cm × 45 cm × 25 cm. Heading to the airport? Keep your cabin bag within these dimensions — no hassle on the Orange Line.
• Late Nights: Last train is around 10:30 PM: If you're at a late dinner in Dharampeth or Sitabuldi, don't assume the metro will be running at 11 PM — it won't. Plan your return trip accordingly.
• Park & Ride: Parking at major stations: Several major stations — including Khapri, Automotive Square, and Lokmanya Nagar — have paid parking lots. Handy for those who drive partway and then take the metro.
9. Frequently Asked Questions
Which station connects to Nagpur Airport?
The Airport Metro Station on the Orange Line provides direct access to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport. It is the easiest, fastest, and most reliable way to reach the airport from anywhere in the city.
Which metro station is closest to Nagpur Railway Station?
The Nagpur Railway Station metro stop on the Aqua Line gives you direct access to Nagpur Junction (Nagpur Central Railway Station). The exit is well-marked and the walk to the main entrance is under two minutes.
Is Nagpur Metro running on all days including Sunday?
Yes. Nagpur Metro operates 7 days a week, including Sundays and most public holidays. Check the official Maha Metro app for any schedule changes during major festivals or annual maintenance windows.
Can I carry food and drinks on the metro?
Open food is generally discouraged inside metro coaches. Sealed or packaged food is typically allowed. Alcohol, narcotics, explosives, and hazardous materials are strictly prohibited.
When will Phase 2 be fully complete?
The Reach 3A section (Lokmanya Nagar to Hingna, 6.4 km) has already launched in 2025. Full Phase 2 completion across all four reaches — covering 43.8 km and 30+ new stations — is currently projected for 2027, subject to construction and government approval timelines.
What is the Maha Metro app?
The official Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation app lets you plan routes, check real-time train status, buy QR-based tickets, and recharge your Maha Card — all from your phone. Available on Android (Google Play) and iOS (App Store).
10. Final Thoughts
Nagpur Metro in 2026 is no longer a novelty — it's a genuine daily lifeline for lakhs of Nagpurians. With Phase 2 actively reshaping the city's transit geography, the network that once ran a modest 38 km is on track to nearly double in size by 2027.
Whether you're catching an early flight from the Airport Station, cutting across the city on the Aqua Line from Prajapati Nagar to Lokmanya Nagar, or simply curious about that striking double-decker viaduct on Wardha Road — the Nagpur Metro is one of the best things to happen to this city's infrastructure in decades.
Bookmark nagpurpeople.in for updates as new Phase 2 stations come online throughout 2026–2027. |