Delhi Metro hits record 7.8 million journeys amid rising pollution

21 Nov 2024 CW Team

On September 18, Delhi Metro achieved a milestone with 7.867 million passenger journeys, setting a new record amidst the city’s worsening air quality, which recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 494. The day also saw the enforcement of bans on BS III petrol and BS IV diesel vehicles under the Graded Response Action Plan. This surpassed the previous record of 7.749 million journeys set on August 25, a day after Raksha Bandhan. Anuj Dayal, Principal Executive Director of Corporate Communications at DMRC, attributed the increase to passengers' growing trust in the metro's reliability and convenience. In response to the pollution crisis, DMRC has added 60 extra weekday trips to enhance capacity. The Yellow Line recorded the highest usage with 2.09 million journeys, followed closely by the Blue Line at 2.08 million, highlighting their role as the busiest corridors in the network. Since August, DMRC has repeatedly broken its own records, reflecting a growing preference for eco-friendly public transport. This shift is expected to reduce vehicular emissions and improve air quality in Delhi and surrounding areas. DMRC has introduced digital solutions for ticketing; allowing passengers to book tickets through various platforms and avoid station queues. Collaborations with organisations like IRCTC and NCRTC have further integrated travel options for commuters. Notably, DMRC is recognised globally for its environmental sustainability efforts, being the first metro system registered for carbon credits with the United Nations. (ET)

Real Estate

05 Sep 2025

Vitizen Hotels Signs Deal at Manyata Tech Park

Vikram Kamats Hospitality, as part of its ongoing expansion in key metropolitan markets, announced that its material subsidiary, Vitizen Hotels, has signed a long-term lease agreement for a 45-key hotel property at Manyata Tech Park, Bengaluru.Strategically located in the city’s prominent IT hub, the property is well-positioned to serve corporate travelers, business professionals, and long-stay guests. The addition aligns with the company’s asset-light growth model, leveraging long-term leases to expand its footprint in high-demand urban markets.The hotel is expected to strengthen the comp..

CONCOR Signs MoU with BPIPL to Operate Container Terminal at Bhavnagar Port

Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bhavnagar Port Infrastructure (BPIPL) on September 4, 2025, in New Delhi to operate and maintain the upcoming container terminal at the northside of Bhavnagar Port, Gujarat.BPIPL had earlier entered into an agreement with the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) in September 2024 for the port’s development. Under this arrangement, 235 hectares of land has been leased to BPIPL for 30 years, with provision for expansion by an additional 250 hectares.The new terminal is expected to significantly enhance logistic..

Concord Launches India’s First Indigenous Zero-Emission Rail Propulsion

Concord Control Systems (CCSL), a leader in embedded electronics and critical rail technologies, has announced the development of India’s first fully indigenous zero-emission propulsion system, marking a significant step toward the country’s railway electrification and net-zero goals for 2030.Powered by Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries and featuring a DC chopper-based drive, the propulsion system eliminates idling losses common in diesel engines, offering higher efficiency, lower costs, and zero emissions.What sets this innovation apart is its completely indigenous design. Except for..