Delhi Metro: The Indian government approved three new corridors in the Delhi Metro network that will strengthen connectivity in high-demand areas.
The new corridors will add critical “missing links” in the existing network while preparing the system for increased footfall from the ongoing Central Vista redevelopment.
What Benefits Do The New Delhi Metro Projects Bring?
With a combined length of 16.1 km and 13 new stations, the approved projects are designed to significantly enhance east-west connectivity, serve densely populated zones and improve access to key transit hubs. According to officials, it may take about 3-5 years for these sections to be operationalized.
Delhi Metro: The New Projects
The first of these projects would be a link between Ramakrishna Ashram Marg station and the Indraprastha station – both on the Blue Line. With 9 stations, the 9.9 kilometer extension will create a new eastward link through the heart of central Delhi. The new alignment is planned to serve dense institutional and visitor-heavy zones. The corridor will also cater to a substantial surge in footfall once the Central Vista redevelopment is complete, in addition to the high volume of tourists expected to use the new India Gate Metro station.
The second will involve a 2.3km extension from the Aerocity station to Indira Gandhi International Airport’s Terminal 1. This will help in providing direct access to the Airport Express Line to T1 passengers. The third corridor proposed under the plan is a 3.9km connection from Tughlakabad (on Violet Line) to Kalindi Kunj (on Magenta Line), and will add three stations.
“All these sections are good missing links that have the potential to shift several categories of road users to the Metro. The Indraprastha-RK Ashram link was essential and long overdue. The national capital has needed this link to its central business district that will facilitate thousands of office-goers and tourists. Additionally, the NCR city linkage between Noida and Faridabad will also be highly used as road connectivity is also not very direct and highly congested via Kalindi Kunj,” said S Velmurugan, chief scientist and head of the traffic engineering division at the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI).
