DMRC team inspecting
– Photo : Amar Ujala
Expansion
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is progressing rapidly on its fourth phase of expansion work, aiming to open all three priority corridors with 65 km of new lines by 2026. Though work on the fourth phase of the expansion began soon after it was finalised in December 2019, the progress of work was significantly affected for almost three years from 2020 to 2022 due to the Covid pandemic and delay in getting permission for tree cutting.
The DMRC has been continuously working on the Phase 4 project since the last two years, which has given the organisation around four years to complete the entire work by the year 2026.
At present, more than 50 per cent work has been completed on all three corridors. Civil work on the Majlis Park-Maujpur section is already almost 80 per cent complete. Tunnelling work is progressing rapidly on various stretches on the Aerocity-Tughlakabad (Golden Line) and Janakpuri West-R.K.Ashram Marg (Magenta Line) corridors. Despite delays in several permissions during Covid, the Janakpuri West to Krishna Park extension is now almost complete and is likely to open by August, 2024. The Majlis Park-Maujpur corridor is also likely to open during the next year. The rest of the priority corridors are expected to be opened in a phased manner by the year 2026. However, permission to cut trees and land acquisition are still awaited at different locations.
Anuj Dayal, Chief Executive Director of DMRC, said that the project is being monitored on a day-to-day basis at various levels. Construction sites are also being visited at the highest level to expedite the work. Efforts are also being made at appropriate levels to obtain permission to cut trees.
Two more corridors under Phase IV, Indralok-Indraprastha and Saket G Block-Lajpat Nagar have also been approved recently. DMRC is currently processing for statutory clearances including land acquisition from the concerned authorities. Forest clearance and tree cutting permission are also being taken at appropriate levels. Further processes regarding planning and tendering for civil works are in progress.
