Delhi Metro Expansion Approved: 13 New Stations to Transform Commute in 3 Years

The approval signals the government's continued focus on expanding rail-based transit infrastructure to manage rapid urbanisation and provide reliable public transport options. File Photo.

On December 24, the Union Cabinet approved the Delhi Metro Phase 5A project and authorised the construction of 13 new stations spread over a 16-kilometre corridor. The decision was taken to improve urban mobility in the National Capital Region in a meeting presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking another large-scale investment in the capital’s public transit infrastructure.

The Delhi Metro network will be expanded at a total estimated cost of INR 12,015 crore, with work on the new stations likely to be completed within the next three years. Once operational, this expansion is expected to push the city’s rapid transit network beyond the 400-kilometre mark, further strengthening connectivity across the metropolis.

Officials said the new stations form part of the Phase 5A segment of the metro’s broader long-term growth blueprint, designed to meet rising commuter demand and support sustainable transport solutions in one of India’s fastest-growing urban corridors. The Cabinet’s approval is part of a series of efforts by the Centre and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to improve last-mile connectivity, reduce travel times, and offer a viable alternative to road transport in the congested capital.

DMRC officials said that the Phase 5A project complements ongoing expansions under earlier phases, where multiple new lines and extensions are under construction or nearing completion. The approval signals the government’s continued focus on expanding rail-based transit infrastructure to manage rapid urbanisation and provide reliable public transport options.

With the new stations spread across strategically selected corridors, commuters are expected to benefit from improved accessibility to employment centres, residential hubs, and commercial districts, DMRC sources said. The DMRC has consistently emphasised metro expansion as a key pillar of Delhi’s transport policy, aiming to integrate the metro with feeder services and enhance ease of movement for millions of daily riders.

The Cabinet’s approval of this INR 12,015 crore project is another milestone in the Delhi Metro’s evolution and reinforces the government’s commitment to sustainable, high-capacity public transport in India’s capital.

Source: Hindustan Times