The North News
New Delhi, December 24
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved three new corridors under Delhi Metro’s Phase V (A) project, a move aimed at easing congestion and improving connectivity across the national capital.
The approved corridors include R.K. Ashram Marg to Indraprastha (9.9km), Aerocity to Indira Gandhi Domestic Airport Terminal 1 (2.26km), and Tughlakabad to Kalindi Kunj (3.9km). Together, they will add just over 16km to the metro network at an estimated cost of ₹12,014.9 crore, funded jointly by the central and Delhi governments along with international agencies.
According to officials, the R.K. Ashram Marg–Indraprastha stretch will extend the Botanical Garden–R.K. Ashram Marg line, offering direct metro access to the Central Vista area, which is undergoing large-scale redevelopment. The corridor is expected to benefit around 60,000 office workers and nearly 200,000 visitors daily by providing doorstep connectivity to Kartavya Bhawans and surrounding institutions.
The Aerocity–Terminal 1 and Tughlakabad–Kalindi Kunj corridors will extend the Aerocity–Tughlakabad route, linking south Delhi neighbourhoods such as Saket and Kalindi Kunj directly with the domestic airport. Officials say this will significantly improve airport access while reducing dependence on road transport.
The three extensions will include 13 stations, of which 10 will be underground and three elevated. On the R.K. Ashram Marg–Indraprastha section, stations will include Central Secretariat, Kartavya Bhawan, India Gate, Bharat Mandapam and Indraprastha. The Tughlakabad–Kalindi Kunj stretch will feature stations at Sarita Vihar Depot, Madanpur Khadar and Kalindi Kunj, while Aerocity will be linked directly to Terminal 1.
The government said the new corridors, forming part of the Magenta and Golden Lines, are expected to cut traffic congestion, lower vehicle emissions and improve ease of living in the capital.
Meanwhile, construction of Delhi Metro Phase IV — covering 111km and 83 stations — is already under way. About 80% of civil work on priority corridors has been completed, with phased commissioning expected by December 2026.
At present, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation operates 12 lines spanning about 395km with 289 stations across Delhi and the National Capital Region. The network handles an average of 6.5 million passenger journeys daily, making it the largest metro system in India and among the biggest globally.
