The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation on Thursday inaugurated a new corridor linking the outer suburbs to the central business district, marking one of the largest single-phase expansions of the network in recent years. The line runs from 5am to midnight daily, with trains every 6 to 8 minutes during peak hours.

Officials said the corridor forms part of a broader plan to reduce private vehicle dependency and cut average commute times across the capital region, where road congestion has worsened over the past decade.

New metro train at the depot ahead of launch
A new metro rake at the depot ahead of the official launch. Photo: IndiaWire24.

Expected impact on daily commuters

Early ridership figures suggest strong uptake among commuters who previously relied on buses or private vehicles for the same route. Transport authorities estimate the corridor could remove tens of thousands of car trips from the road each day once fully operational.

Further extensions of the line are planned over the next two years, subject to funding approval from the state and central governments.