Nagpur: Big news for the Orange City—Nagpur Metro is gearing up for its most ambitious expansion yet with Phase 3! As of February 2026, MahaMetro has confirmed plans for a massive ~54.5-55 km addition across four strategic corridors, pushing the total network from the current and under-construction ~82-84 km (Phases 1 & 2) to approximately 129 km. This would make Nagpur one of India's most extensively connected Tier-2 cities for metro rail. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari recently highlighted the inclusion of a flagship Inner Ring Road corridor, while the Detailed Project Report (DPR) process is underway for the next 9 months. With industrial growth from Mahindra, Adani, and MIHAN accelerating, Phase 3 will transform daily commutes, ease traffic, and boost last-mile access to jobs and new developments. Here's everything you need to know about the proposed routes, timeline, and what it means for Nagpur residents!
Nagpur Metro Phase 3 vision: ~55 km new corridors connecting key growth zones – total network ~129 km!
Why Phase 3 is Nagpur's Biggest Metro Leap in 2026
Part of the Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) 2025, Phase 3 focuses on sustainable, high-capacity transit to support Vidarbha's industrial boom and urban growth. It includes potential first underground sections, driverless tech feasibility, and better connectivity for Butibori MIDC workers, New Nagpur township, and ring road traffic. DPR (tender floated, 9-month timeline) will finalize alignments, stations, elevated/underground mix, and costs before phased construction starts post-Phase 2 completion. This could mean faster, greener commutes and real estate boosts in emerging areas.
Proposed Phase 3 Corridors & Key Details (2026 Updates)
- Inner Ring Road Corridor (Flagship – ~25 km) – Mankapur Chowk to Rachana Junction (Hingna T-point). Orbital route to bypass central congestion; confirmed by Nitin Gadkari. Elevated mostly; huge relief for ring road commuters.
- Sitabuldi to Koradi Corridor (~11.5 km) – North-south connectivity boost; starts from Kasturchand Park (potential multi-level interchange hub like Delhi's Hauz Khas). Includes Nagpur's first underground stretch (~3 km in dense core) to avoid traffic/flyovers. ~10 stations planned.
- MIDC ESR to CEAT Ltd / Butibori MIDC Link (~3 km high-capacity) – Last-mile industrial access; connects Butibori MIDC hub for workers from Mahindra, Adani projects. Quick, efficient for thousands of daily commuters.
- Khapri to New Nagpur Corridor (~15 km) – Integrates upcoming greenfield New Nagpur township with existing network. Supports future urban expansion and satellite growth.
Total Phase 3: ~54.5-55 km. Full network post-completion: ~129 km—among top Tier-2 metro systems in India. Focus on automated/driverless ops and advanced signaling for efficiency.
What Phase 3 Means for Nagpur Residents in 2026 & Beyond
- Shorter travel times to industrial zones (Butibori, Koradi) – great for new jobs.
- Reduced traffic on Inner Ring Road & central areas.
- Better access to New Nagpur & emerging suburbs.
- Eco-friendly: More people shift from cars/bikes to metro.
- Real estate & economic boost in connected areas.
Excited about Phase 3 routes reaching your area? Which corridor will benefit you most (Inner Ring Road, Butibori link, etc.)? Share your thoughts or commute challenges in the comments—let's discuss how this changes Nagpur! Follow NagpurMail.in for metro updates, Phase 3 news, and transport tips. Faster, greener rides ahead! ππ️