On Wednesday, the Union Cabinet gave the go-ahead to three more corridors of the Phase 5(A) expansion of the Delhi Metro project, which will cost it around ₹12,015 crore. This authorisation will provide the Delhi Metro network with a total length that will reach the 400-kilometre mark, and this will reinforce urban mobility in the National Capital Region.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the decision at the New Delhi Cabinet meeting.
Three of the New Corridors Get the Green Light
The Cabinet has cleared three corridors, and this includes R.K. Ashram Marg to Indraprastha, Aerocity to Airport Terminal-1, and Tughlakabad to Kalindi Kunj. Together, these stretches will greatly increase metro connectivity in Central and South Delhi.
The Phase 5(A) project will entail the construction of 13 new metro stations, which will improve the accessibility of major administrative, business and residential areas of the city.
Central Vista is to be directly connected to the Metro
The extension of the Botanical Garden to the R.K. Ashram Marg line will be renamed to R.K. Ashram Marg-Indraprastha. This is especially important because it will bring direct metro access to the Central Vista area, which is being redeveloped on a large scale at present.
The government said the corridor will serve all Kartavya Bhawans, which will provide doorstep access to government offices by metro. It is projected to serve some 60,000 people who visit offices and two lakh people who visit offices every day, which will eliminate reliance on road transport and decrease the congestion within the central administrative district.
Connection to Airport and South Delhi to be made better
The Aerocity-Airport Terminal-1 and Tughlakabad-Kalindi Kunj corridors will serve as extensions of the Aerocity-Tughlakabad line. These extensions will considerably improve the connectivity of the airports with South Delhi, as the parts of Tughlakabad, Saket and Kalindi Kunj will be connected in a much better way.
The authorities added that better connectivity will make travelling in and out of the domestic airport quicker and more efficient, and this will benefit daily commuters, travellers and airport staff.
Stimulus to Economy, Environment and Mobility
According to Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the expansion would benefit not only connectivity but also confer broader economic and environmental benefits. He observed that in the last 11 years, the metro industry in India has been characterised by a revolution, spearheaded by the Delhi Metro.
The new corridors will reduce congestion on the roads, decrease vehicle emissions, as enhance improved air quality in the capital. The enhanced availability of public transport is also likely to benefit businesses and employment opportunities along the new routes.
Increasing Global Presence of Delhi Metro
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has 12 metro lines that are running over approximately of 395 kilometres and 289 stations. The network serves approximately 65 lakh passengers every day, making it the lifeline of the city.
The most recent approval will put the Delhi Metro on its way to becoming the largest metro network in India and perhaps the largest in the world. India has already become the world’s third-largest metro network, after China and the United States.
Delhi Metro has just marked its 23rd anniversary, continuing its journey of changing the face of urban transport by bringing punctuality, reliability and security to the transportation sector.
Next Steps
The officials added that the technical clearances and tendering will be completed, after which the detailed project planning and execution timelines will be determined. After completion, the Phase 5(A) corridors are likely to have a significant role to play in serving the ever-increasing population and changing urban infrastructure needs of Delhi.
The government restated that further metro development has been the core part of the sustainable development of the cities and enhanced living standards of the city dwellers.
I am a versatile content writer from the MP region, covering politics, business, crime, current affairs, entertainment, video games, and sports with clear insights, engaging analysis, and timely, reader-focused updates.
