Metro phase IV, planned to bring Outer Delhi closer, gets AAP govt clearance

The Delhi Metro is set to add 104km to its network after the Kejriwal cabinet on Friday gave the much-awaited clearance to the six-line fourth phase that will boost connectivity to the Capital’s outskirts, the airport and south Delhi.

The Delhi Metro is set to add 104km to its network after the Arvind Kejriwal cabinet on Friday gave the much-awaited clearance to the six-line fourth phase that will boost connectivity to the Capital’s outskirts, the airport and south Delhi.

Phase 4 network is expected to have a daily ridership of 850,000. These lines, in addition to the 140km being added in Phase 3, will decongest central and southern parts of the city. (HT File Photo)

The Delhi government had in May given in-principal approval but the Centre returned the file, as it didn’t make a provision for the project’s funding.

The cabinet cleared the financial arrangement and in six years, the Metro would have six more lines, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said.

The project will cost Rs 50,000 crore. Usually 70% of the funds come through loan and the remaining 30% cost is borne equally by the Delhi government and the Centre.

Read: Phase 4 will make Delhi Metro largest metro system after China

“We are now future oriented and lines have been planned in the areas where traffic is expected to grow,” Sisodia said. The DMRC would submit a progress report to the cabinet every month. Once the Centre’s gives all-clear, the project would be completed in six years.

The six lines are -- Rithala –Narela, Inderlok–Indraprastha, Tughlakabad–Aerocity, Lajpat Nagar– Saket G-Block, Janakpuri (west)-RK Ashram and Mukundpur-Maujpur.

While sending the file to the Centre in May, the Delhi government said the fund commitment would be cleared by the cabinet later. The Centre returned the file but after Friday’s nod, it would be sent back to the urban development for final approval after which tenders will be called for construction work.

Phase 4 network is expected to have a daily ridership of 850,000. These lines, in addition to the 140km being added in Phase 3, will decongest central and southern parts of the city.

Phase 3 will get operational in a staggered manner. The first launch is expected sometime later this month and the last in September.

The new lines will expand the Metro network to 434km and 308 stations. The daily ridership is likely to go up to 6.3 million from the current 2.8 million.