The Union cabinet’s recent approval of two new Delhi Metro corridors, as part of phase 4 expansion, is all set to significantly enhance connectivity in the city.
The imperative development will raise the number of interchange stations across the network to 48, and the count of triple interchange stations, connecting three Metro lines, will increase to four. At present Delhi Metro, which spans 391km with 29 interchange stations, is poised to grow by 65km through phase 4 expansion.
The new corridors from Lajpat Nagar to Saket G-Block and Inderlok to Indraprastha will add another 20.7 km to the network. Notably, the expansion aims to alleviate congestion at major interchange hubs like Rajiv Chowk and Kashmere Gate by dispersing passenger traffic to additional interchange facilities.
For instance, the Lajpat Nagar station which presently links the Pink and Violet lines, will now connect with the new Lajpat Nagar to Saket G-Block corridor. Similarly, the New Delhi station, facilitating travel between the Yellow Line and Airport Express Line, will also integrate with the expanded Green Line.
The move is aimed at enhancing accessibility and reducing travel times on India’s largest metro rail network.
DMRC’s push for seamless travel
As per a 2011 strategy, DMRC initiated a key plan to cut down congestion at Kashmiri Gate and Rajiv Chowk. The move has yielded positive results, as indicated by data from 2023.
Following the phase 3 expansion, busy interchange stations such as Kashmere Gate and Rajiv Chowk experienced reduced footfall. Further, Kashmere Gate witnessed a 12.9% decrease in footfall between September 2019 and September 2023, while Rajiv Chowk recorded an 18.3% drop during the same period.
The approval of these two corridors will not only enhance connectivity but also streamline commuter journeys, minimising the need for lengthy detours.