PM Modi Inaugurates Key Delhi Metro Corridors, Network Reaches 416 km Milestone
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated two significant metro corridors in Delhi on Sunday, marking a major expansion of the city's public transport infrastructure. The newly opened sections include the Majlis Park-Maujpur-Babarpur corridor, an extension of the Pink Line, and the Deepali Chowk-Majlis Park corridor, an extension of the Magenta Line. This development elevates the Delhi Metro network to an impressive 416 kilometers in length, now encompassing 303 stations across the National Capital Region (NCR).
Foundation Laid for Phase V-A Expansion and New Circular Route
During the event, Prime Minister Modi also laid the foundation stone for three additional corridors under the metro's Phase V-A expansion, which will cover 16.1 kilometers. These corridors are RK Ashram Marg-Indraprastha, Aerocity-Indira Gandhi Airport Terminal-1, and Tughlakabad-Kalindi Kunj. With the addition of the Majlis Park to Maujpur-Babarpur corridor, the Pink Line has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first line to form a complete circular route. This line now stands as the longest in the network, stretching 71.5 kilometers with 46 stations.
Innovative Infrastructure Features: Double-Decker Viaduct and Yamuna Bridge
The Majlis Park-Maujpur-Babarpur corridor introduces two standout engineering feats. First, a bridge over the Yamuna River enhances connectivity, marking the fifth metro bridge across the Yamuna and linking Soorghat and Sonia Vihar. Second, Delhi's first double-decker viaduct, spanning 1.4 kilometers between Bhajanpura and Yamuna Vihar, is set to transform the landscape of north-east Delhi. This viaduct features metro trains operating on the upper deck while vehicles use the lower deck, optimizing space and traffic flow. Although metro trains have commenced operations on this structure, the ramp for the road section is pending completion, with officials confirming that tree-cutting permissions have been secured and construction will conclude within the year.
Enhanced Connectivity and Traffic Relief with Magenta Line Extension
The fully elevated Deepali Chowk-Majlis Park section of the Magenta Line comprises seven stations, including three interchange stations: Line-1 (Madhuban Chowk), Line-2 (Haiderpur Badli Mor), and Line-7 (Majlis Park). This corridor is expected to significantly improve connectivity between the western and northern parts of Delhi. A Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) official highlighted that the construction of the Deepali Chowk-Bhalaswa stretch, approximately 8 kilometers along the Outer Ring Road, will alleviate traffic congestion on this heavily used route.
Future Expansions and Network Growth
The entire Janakpuri West–RK Ashram Marg corridor spans 29.3 kilometers with 22 stations, with remaining sections anticipated to open in phases by 2026–2027. Looking ahead, the Magenta Line is poised to become the longest corridor in the network once under-construction extensions from Ramakrishna Ashram Marg to Indraprastha (via Central Vista) and the Indraprastha-Inderlok corridor are completed. This will extend the Magenta Line from Botanical Garden to Inderlok, covering 89 kilometers and surpassing the Pink Line in length.
These expansions underscore the government's commitment to enhancing urban mobility and reducing traffic congestion in Delhi, contributing to a more sustainable and efficient transport system for residents.
