Delhi Metro Phase-IV Expands with Two New Corridors: Details Revealed

In a significant move to enhance metro connectivity in the national capital, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved two new corridors of the Delhi Metro Phase-IV project. These corridors include the Lajpat Nagar to Saket G-Block and Inderlok to Indraprastha lines, which will further expand the metro network in Delhi.

Representative image

Project Details and Funding

The total project cost for these two corridors is estimated to be Rs 8,399 crore, with funding coming from various sources. The Government of India will contribute Rs 1,547 crore, while the Delhi government will provide Rs 1,987 crore. Additionally, Rs 4,309 crore will be sourced as a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Rs 333 crore from internal accruals of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), and Rs 195 crore through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) component.

Completion Timeline and Passenger Capacity

The new corridors are targeted for completion in stages by March 2026. Once operational, these lines are expected to cater to a significant number of commuters. It is estimated that around 2.5 lakh people will travel on these lines daily, adding to the current ridership of 65-70 lakh people using the Delhi Metro network.

Route Alignment and Interchange Stations

The Lajpat Nagar-Saket G Block corridor will be entirely elevated and will span a distance of 8.013 km, featuring eight stations. On the other hand, the Inderlok-Indraprastha corridor will consist of both underground and elevated sections, with 11.349 km of underground lines and 1.028 km of elevated lines. This corridor will have 10 stations.

The Inderlok-Indraprastha corridor holds particular significance as it will provide enhanced connectivity to the Bahadurgarh region of Haryana. Commuters from these areas will now be able to travel directly to Indraprastha and various other parts of central and east Delhi via the Green Line.

Furthermore, eight new interchange stations will be constructed along these corridors, namely Inderlok, Nabi Karim, New Delhi, Delhi Gate, Indraprastha, Lajpat Nagar, Chirag Dilli, and Saket G Block. These interchange stations will significantly improve inter-connectivity among all operational lines of the Delhi Metro network.

Current Status and Future Plans

The Delhi Metro is currently constructing a 65 km network as part of its fourth phase of expansion. With the addition of these two new corridors, the national capital region will have a total Metro network of approximately 450 km, compared to the existing 427 km.

The DMRC, responsible for operating the Delhi Metro, currently manages a network of 391 km with 286 stations. The Delhi Metro has emerged as one of the fastest-growing metro networks globally, providing efficient and reliable transportation services to millions of commuters in the city.

The DMRC has already initiated pre-bid activities and is preparing tender documents for the construction of these new corridors. The timely completion of these projects will further enhance the metro connectivity and convenience for commuters in Delhi and its surrounding areas.