The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of three new corridors under Delhi Metro Phase V(A), aimed at strengthening connectivity across key parts of the national capital. The approved stretches include R.K. Ashram Marg to Indraprastha (9.913 km), Aerocity to Indira Gandhi Domestic Airport Terminal-1 (2.263 km) and Tughlakabad to Kalindi Kunj (3.9 km). Together, the project will add 16.076 km to the Metro network at an estimated cost of Rs 120.15 billion, to be funded by the Centre, the Government of Delhi and international funding agencies.

According to the Cabinet decision, the R.K. Ashram Marg–Indraprastha corridor will provide direct Metro access to the Central Vista area, including the Kartavya Bhawans. Officials said the line is expected to benefit around 60,000 office-goers and nearly 200,000 visitors daily, while helping ease road congestion and reduce fossil fuel consumption. This corridor will extend the existing Botanical Garden–R.K. Ashram Marg line.

The Aerocity–IGD Terminal-1 and Tughlakabad–Kalindi Kunj corridors will extend the Aerocity–Tughlakabad line, improving airport connectivity from south Delhi localities such as Saket, Chhattarpur and Kalindi Kunj. In total, the three extensions will comprise 13 stations, of which 10 will be underground and three elevated.

Once operational, the R.K. Ashram Marg–Indraprastha stretch is expected to enhance links between west, north and old Delhi with central Delhi. The airport and south Delhi extensions will provide direct Metro access to Domestic Airport Terminal-1 through major residential and commercial areas. These additions, forming part of the Magenta Line and the Golden Line, are also expected to reduce vehicular pollution.

Stations on the R.K. Ashram Marg–Indraprastha section will include R.K. Ashram Marg, Shivaji Stadium, Central Secretariat, Kartavya Bhawan, India Gate, War Memorial–High Court, Baroda House, Bharat Mandapam and Indraprastha. The Tughlakabad–Kalindi Kunj stretch will have stations at Sarita Vihar Depot, Madanpur Khadar and Kalindi Kunj, while the Aerocity corridor will be extended to IGD Terminal-1.

Meanwhile, construction under Phase IV of the Delhi Metro, covering 111 km with 83 stations, is progressing. Officials said about 80.43 per cent of civil work on the three priority corridors has been completed, with phased commissioning targeted by December 2026. The Metro currently records an average daily ridership of around 6.5 million passenger journeys, with a peak of 8.19 million trips logged on 8 August 2025.

At present, the network spans about 395 km across 12 operational lines with 289 stations in Delhi and the National Capital Region, operated by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.