Union Cabinet Approves Major Noida Metro Aqua Line Extension to Botanical Garden
In a significant development for urban transportation, the Union Cabinet has granted approval for the long-awaited extension of Noida's Aqua Line metro from Sector 142 to Botanical Garden. This 11.6-kilometer elevated corridor is set to revolutionize connectivity in the fast-growing regions of Noida and Greater Noida, directly linking expressway sectors and Pari Chowk to the Delhi metro grid.
Enhanced Connectivity and Triple-Interchange Hub
The extension will transform Botanical Garden into a triple-interchange station, integrating the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation's (DMRC) Blue and Magenta lines with Noida's Aqua Line. This move aims to plug a persistent connectivity gap along the 25-kilometer Noida Expressway, which hosts numerous IT and ITES parks, corporate offices, educational institutions, and residential high-rises.
Once operational, commuters from these sectors will enjoy direct access to Delhi's domestic airport via the Magenta Line. Moreover, with Pari Chowk located just 40 kilometers from Jewar, this corridor is poised to play a crucial role in future connectivity planning, linking Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) with the upcoming Noida International Airport.
Project Details and Funding
The Rs 2,254-crore project will feature eight elevated stations: Botanical Garden, and sectors 96, 44, 105, 93, 97, 108, and 91. It is scheduled for completion within four years. Funding will be shared by the Central Government, the Uttar Pradesh Government, and the Noida Authority.
Announcing the decision, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted that this new corridor will expand the active metro rail network in Noida and Greater Noida to 61.6 kilometers. The approval marks the end of a prolonged clearance process, which began with the Noida Metro Rail Corporation submitting the detailed project report to the state government on January 5, 2024. After state approval in June, the proposal was forwarded to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in July, with revisions sought before final Cabinet approval.
Benefits for Commuters and Traffic Relief
The corridor is expected to alleviate mounting traffic pressure on Noida Expressway and significantly reduce travel time for metro users. Currently, commuters on the Aqua Line must travel to Sector 51, walk to the adjacent Sector 52 Blue Line station, and then board a train towards Delhi. The journey from Sector 142 to Botanical Garden by metro takes approximately 45 minutes, but officials estimate the new extension will cut this down to around 15 minutes.
Several commercial and institutional hubs are set to benefit from improved mobility. Key business districts, such as Advant Business Park in Sector 142, along with major corporate campuses in sectors 126, 132, 145, and 157, will experience enhanced workforce access. Educational institutions, including Amity University in Sector 125, will also gain direct metro connectivity.
Commuters' Perspectives and Challenges
Residents and workers have expressed relief at the approval. Deepanshu Pahuja, a Sector 76 resident working at an IT firm in Sector 142, relies on the Aqua Line for his commute but finds traveling to Delhi challenging. "I have to reach Sector 51 and then change to Sector 52. The skywalk between the two stations is still under construction, which makes the interchange inconvenient," he said. From Sector 52, he boards the Blue Line to Botanical Garden, noting that covering barely 12 kilometers takes a long time.
Ejaz Ahmad, who lives in Delhi's Jamia Nagar and works in Sector 135 along Noida Expressway, faces difficulties due to lack of seamless public transport. "I take the Magenta Line to Botanical Garden. From there, I sometimes travel to Sector 52, switch to Sector 51, and then board another metro to Sector 142. The need for separate smart cards by DMRC and NMRC adds to the frustration," he explained, adding that the entire journey takes over an hour. Ahmad often opts for a shuttle or books a cab, costing Rs 300-400, when shuttles are unavailable.
Neetu Sharma, a resident of Delhi's Preet Vihar working in Sector 142, depends entirely on shuttles from Botanical Garden to her office. "I do not take the Sector 52-51 route as it is long and time-consuming. If the new route is developed, it will save time and money," she said.
Expanding Metro Reach in Noida
Currently, the 29-kilometer Aqua Line connects Sector 51 in Noida with Depot Station in Greater Noida, while DMRC operates a 17.7-kilometer Blue Line stretch within Noida. With this new extension and the recently approved 2.6-kilometer spur from Depot Station to the Boraki multimodal hub, Noida's metro network is expanding towards populated areas, addressing long-standing connectivity needs.
Alok Singh, a Greater Noida resident, welcomed the development, stating, "The Botanical Garden link will finally allow seamless travel across Delhi, Noida, and Greater Noida." He also urged the government to fast-track the Sector 51-Knowledge Park-V line to ease chronic congestion around Gaur Chowk.
