Delhi Metro: Cabinet approves Phase VA expansion, crosses 400 km

In a move that could reshape Delhi’s everyday travel, the Union Cabinet approved Phase-V(A) of the Delhi Metro, a plan to add 16 km across three corridors and 13 stations at a project cost of over ₹12,000 crore. The expansion would take the network beyond 400 km in total and is slated for completion within three years.

Corridors include RK Ashram Marg to Indraprastha (9.9 km) at ₹9,570 crore; Aerocity to Airport Terminal-1 (2.3 km) at ₹1,419 crore; and Tughlakabad to Kalindi Kunj (3.9 km) at ₹1,024 crore. Of the 13 new stations, 10 will be underground and 3 elevated. The new corridors aim to ease congestion and provide faster links within Delhi and to neighboring cities.

Officials say the expansion will cut travel time and reduce carbon emissions by about 33,000 tonnes annually. Once complete, Delhi Metro will join a small club of metro networks exceeding 400 km in length. The Phase-V(A) plan also secures greater inter-city connectivity, notably a direct link to Gurugram from Noida and Faridabad along the Tughlakabad-Kalindi Kunj corridor.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the decision as a major boost to infrastructure and the ease of living in the capital, while the Railway Minister emphasized the expansion’s role in linking Delhi’s metro to neighbouring towns and easing daily commutes. The government expects added daily ridership to surpass existing levels as stations come online.

Industry analysts note the project reflects broader urban mobility goals and climate targets, even as construction faces the usual challenges. As Delhi’s traffic grows and the population expands, the new corridors could become essential arteries, transporting millions more riders with less pollution.

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