India's Metro, Airport Boom: 1,095 km, 164 Airports, 3rd-Largest Market

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta laid out the numbers behind India's infrastructure push on Friday, pointing to a metro network that has grown from 248 km to 1,095 km and now reaches 26 cities. Speaking at an event, she also cited 164 operational airports and called India the world's third-largest domestic aviation market.

The 'UDAN' regional connectivity scheme turned air travel from a luxury into something the common citizen could afford, Gupta said. She credited the government's digital push as well, calling 'Digital India' a global example.

Separately, Gupta honoured rescue workers and citizens who responded to two recent tragedies in Delhi – a fire in Hauz Rani, Malviya Nagar, and a building collapse in Saidulajab, Saket. She handed out commendation certificates and cheques of ₹21,000 each to police, administrative staff, and civilians who helped save lives.

One recipient, Riyazuddin Mansoori, laid out mattresses during the Hauz Rani fire to catch people jumping from upper floors. Gupta reimbursed the cost of the mattresses and gave him an additional ₹21,000.

The government will pay ₹10 lakh ex-gratia to the family of each person killed in the two incidents and ₹2 lakh to the injured, Gupta announced. She directed officials to disburse the relief quickly and transparently.

A two-minute silence was observed for the victims. MLAs Satish Upadhyay (Malviya Nagar) and Kartar Singh Tanwar (Chhatarpur) attended the event.