Delhi residents will soon be able to hitch rides on three-coach metro trains to travel short distances in the metropolis. The concept — a new one for India—is expected to provide a cost-effective and agile mobility solution, ensuring better frequency and operational efficiency while accommodating a substantial number of daily commuters, Delhi Metro said in a statement on Sunday.
It said projected daily ridership on the Lajpat Nagar to Saket G Block corridor is expected to rise from 60,000-80,000 passengers per day in 2025 to over 1,20,000 in 2041.
This corridor's Peak Hour Peak Direction Traffic (PHPDT) estimates indicate a manageable load, ensuring a comfortable travel experience without unnecessary overcapacity.
“Shorter trains mean quicker turnaround times, allowing for a highly efficient frequency cycle,” the Delhi Metro said, adding that as passengers increase, train frequency can be gradually adjusted, ensuring that travel remains smooth, predictable, and congestion-free.
Each of these smaller trains will have seating and standing capacity of approximately 300 passengers per coach. The new corridor will consist of eight stations, improving accessibility for key residential and commercial hubs.
According to the statement, unlike most Metro lines that use 4, 6, or 8-coach trains, this 3-coach system has been developed to cater specifically to short-distance urban travel. “The 8.385-km Lajpat Nagar to Saket G Block metro corridor is part of DMRC Phase 4 corridor. It is also a part of Delhi Metro Golden Line Extension. This will be the second smallest line in the Delhi Metro network, increasing last-mile connectivity while ensuring seamless
interchange with existing metro corridors,” the statement added.
This corridor is not just about reducing train length — it's about optimising urban mobility with a future-ready, efficient, and cost-conscious metro system. The station platforms have been designed with a length of 74 metres, optimised for three-coach train operations, the statement added.
"In March 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for this project. The construction work has now commenced, and the corridor is expected to be completed by 2028," a DMRC official said.
“As and when the flow of passengers increases, train frequency can be gradually adjusted, ensuring that travel remains smooth, predictable, and
congestion-free. A smaller train format means lower energy consumption per trip, making it an environmentally responsible and financially prudent decision. By investing in a 3-coach system, Delhi Metro is ensuring economic sustainability while still providing top-tier urban transit solutions,” he added.
Meanwhile, a proposal for the ambitious Phase V of the DMRC has been moved before the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Of the proposed 18 corridors in Phase-V, four will be entirely new. These include the Mayapuri to Kashmiri Gate, CGO Complex to Surya Vihar (Faridabad), Mayur Vihar Phase-3 to Loni Border, and the Najafgarh-Nangloi Metro corridor.
The new corridor will consist of eight strategically located stations, improving accessibility for key residential and commercial hubs.
