The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the construction of three new corridors under the Delhi Metro’s Phase V(A) project, aimed at strengthening connectivity across key parts of the national capital.
The approved corridors include R.K. Ashram Marg to Indraprastha (9.913 km), Aerocity to Indira Gandhi Domestic Airport Terminal-1 (2.263 km), and Tughlakabad to Kalindi Kunj (3.9 km). Together, the Phase V(A) project will add 16.076 km to the Delhi Metro network at a total estimated cost of Rs 12,014.91 crore. The project will be funded by the Government of India, the Government of Delhi, and international funding agencies.
According to the Cabinet decision, the R.K. Ashram Marg–Indraprastha corridor will provide direct Metro connectivity to the Central Vista area, including the Kartavya Bhawans. Officials said the corridor is expected to benefit nearly 60,000 office-goers and around two lakh visitors daily, while also contributing to reduced road congestion and lower fossil fuel usage.
The R.K. Ashram Marg–Indraprastha stretch will be an extension of the Botanical Garden–R.K. Ashram Marg corridor. The Aerocity–IGD Airport Terminal-1 and Tughlakabad–Kalindi Kunj corridors will extend the Aerocity–Tughlakabad line, improving airport access from south Delhi areas such as Saket, Chhattarpur and Kalindi Kunj.
The three extensions will include a total of 13 stations, of which 10 will be underground and three elevated.
Once completed, the R.K. Ashram Marg–Indraprastha corridor is expected to enhance connectivity between west, north and old Delhi with central Delhi. The Aerocity–IGD T-1 and Tughlakabad–Kalindi Kunj corridors will link south Delhi directly with Domestic Airport Terminal-1 via key residential and commercial zones.
The project will further expand the reach of the Delhi Metro network in central Delhi and the airport region, supporting economic activity and easing pressure on road transport. The extensions, forming part of the Magenta Line and Golden Line, are also expected to help reduce vehicular pollution.
Stations on the R.K. Ashram Marg–Indraprastha section will include R.K. Ashram Marg, Shivaji Stadium, Central Secretariat, Kartavya Bhawan, India Gate, War Memorial–High Court, Baroda House, Bharat Mandapam and Indraprastha. The Tughlakabad–Kalindi Kunj section will have stations at Sarita Vihar Depot, Madanpur Khadar and Kalindi Kunj, while Aerocity station will be further extended to IGD Terminal-1.
Meanwhile, construction work on Delhi Metro Phase IV, covering 111 km with 83 stations, is currently underway. Officials said around 80.43 per cent of civil construction work on the three priority corridors has been completed, with phased commissioning expected by December 2026.
At present, the Delhi Metro records an average of about 65 lakh passenger journeys daily. The highest single-day ridership of 81.87 lakh journeys was recorded on August 8, 2025.
The Delhi Metro network currently comprises 12 operational lines spanning around 395 km with 289 stations across Delhi and the National Capital Region, operated by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. It remains the largest Metro network in India and among the largest globally.
