"DMRC's Phase-IV Corridors in Advanced Stages of Approval, Says Official"

Officials have confirmed that two of the three remaining corridors in Delhi Metro's Phase-IV project are progressing towards approval, while discussions are ongoing to extend the third line to Kundli in Haryana. Additionally, there is a proposal to extend the planned Tughlakabad-Aerocity (Silver Line) to Delhi Airport Terminal 1D on the Magenta Line.

In March 2019, the Union Cabinet approved three out of the six corridors for Delhi Metro's Phase-IV, aiming to enhance connectivity in the national capital. The three remaining proposed corridors yet to receive approval are Rithala-Bawana-Narela, Inderlok-Indraprastha, and Lajpat Nagar-Saket G Block.

An official from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Jaideep, stated that two of the pending corridors under Phase-IV are in the advanced stages of approval.

The authorities are also in discussions with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to extend the Rithala-Bawana-Narela corridor to Kundli in Haryana, marking Delhi Metro's fourth expansion into Haryana, following the Yellow Line (Gurugram), Violet Line (Faridabad), and Green Line (Bahadurgarh).

The proposed corridor is intended as an extension of the existing Shaheed Sthal-Rithala corridor of the Red Line and has the potential to become the first Delhi Metro corridor to connect Haryana and Uttar Pradesh via Delhi, with the Shaheed Sthal metro station situated in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.

Initial plans involve constructing smaller stations with platform lengths to accommodate four-coach trains, with provisions for future expansion to accommodate eight-coach trains.

Work on Phase-IV began with a groundbreaking ceremony in December 2019 but faced delays due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in March 2020.

If approved, the Rithala-Bawana-Narela corridor will span 27.319 kilometers and comprise 22 stations. Of this, 26.339 kilometers and 21 stations will be elevated, while approximately 0.89 kilometers and one station will be at grade.

Currently, DMRC is actively engaged in the construction of 65.2 kilometers of three priority corridors, encompassing 45 stations under the project, which includes the Janakpuri West-RK Ashram Marg (28.92 km) and Majlis Park-Maujpur (12.55 km) extensions, as well as the Tughlakabad-Aerocity (23.62 km) line, all designed to enhance the city's connectivity.

ET