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The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, December 24 approved the Phase 5A expansion project of Delhi Metro at a total cost of ₹12,014.91 crore, paving the way for three new corridors of over 16 km to boost connectivity in the national capital.
The press release said that the funding of the project will be shared by the Government of India, the Government of Delhi and international funding agencies. The construction timeline for Phase 5A has been set at three years.
Three new corridors approved
The approved Phase 5A project comprises three corridors – RK Ashram Marg to Indraprastha (9.913 km), Aerocity to IGD Airport Terminal 1 (2.263 km), and Tughlakabad to Kalindi Kunj (3.9 km). With the completion of these corridors, the Delhi Metro network is expected to cross the 400 kilometer mark.
There will be a total of 13 stations in the three parts, out of which 10 will be underground and three will be elevated.
Central Vista, Dutva Bhawan Connectivity
A highlight of the expansion is the direct metro connectivity to the Central Vista area. The RK Ashram Marg-Indraprastha corridor will connect all the duty buildings, giving office goers and visitors access to the house.
The corridor is expected to benefit approximately 60,000 employees and approximately two lakh visitors per day, the press release said. It will also bypass Connaught Place, helping decongest one of the city’s busiest commercial areas.
Airport and South Delhi connectivity strengthened
The Aerocity-IGD Airport Terminal 1 and Tughlakabad-Kalindi Kunj stretch will be an extension of the Aerocity-Tughlakabad corridor, improving connectivity between South Delhi and the domestic airport through areas like Saket, Chhatarpur and Kalindi Kunj.
The RK Ashram Marg-Indraprastha Corridor will extend the Botanical Garden-RK Ashram Marg line, improving connectivity between West, North and Old Delhi and Central Delhi.
Stations planned on new corridors
Stations on the RK Ashram Marg-Indraprastha section will include RK Ashram Marg, Shivaji Stadium, Central Secretariat, Dutva Bhawan, India Gate, War Memorial-High Court, Baroda House, Bharat Mandapam and Indraprastha.
The Tughlakabad-Kalindi Kunj section will include Sarita Vihar Depot, Madanpur Khadar and Kalindi Kunj stations, while the Aerocity station will be extended up to IGD Terminal 1.
Construction approach and environmental impact
The construction work will be carried out using tunnel boring machines and earth removal method to minimize disruption to traffic. The new corridors are expected to reduce road congestion, pollution and dependence on fossil fuels, improving the overall ease of living in the capital, an official release said.
Phase IV tasks and riders
Meanwhile, construction work on Delhi Metro Phase IV spanning 111 km and 83 stations is underway, with about 80.43% civil construction already completed on the three priority corridors. These corridors are expected to be operational in phases by December 2026.
Delhi Metro currently operates 12 lines of approximately 395 km with 289 stations in Delhi and NCR. It carries an average of 65 lakh passengers per day, with peak-day ridership reaching 81.87 lakh in August 2025, making it the largest metro network in India and one of the largest globally.