Delhi Metro received its first train set for the Phase-4 expansion today, signaling a significant step forward in the project’s completion. The six-coach train arrived at Delhi’s Mukundpur depot, where it will undergo extensive testing as per statutory certification protocols before entering revenue service, according to an official statement.
The newly delivered train set was first unveiled on September 23 earlier this year at Alstom’s Rolling Stock facility in Sricity, near Chennai, in the presence of representatives from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and Alstom. This train is part of DMRC’s RS-17 contract, under which 312 Metro coaches (52 trains) are to be supplied for Phase-4 priority corridors.
The delivery of the 52 trains will take place in phases, serving three key corridors: Majlis Park to Maujpur, Janakpuri West to R K Ashram Marg, and Tughlakabad to Delhi Aerocity. Out of the total 312 coaches, 234 are designated for the extended sections of Line-7 (Pink Line) and Line-8 (Magenta Line), while the remaining 78 will cater to the new Golden Line corridor connecting Tughlakabad and Delhi Aerocity.
The Pink Line extension from Mukundpur to Maujpur will receive 90 coaches (15 trains), and the Magenta Line extension from Janakpuri West to R K Ashram Marg will be allocated 144 coaches (24 trains). The new Aerocity-Tughlakabad corridor will be equipped with 78 coaches (13 trains).
Driverless Technology and Make in India Initiative
All Phase-4 trains are equipped with Grade of Automation (GOA) 4, allowing fully driverless operations. This aligns with Delhi Metro’s goal of providing advanced, world-class transit solutions. The trains, designed to achieve a maximum speed of 95 km/h and an operational speed of 85 km/h, support the Government of India’s Make in India initiative, as they are manufactured locally at Alstom’s facility.
DMRC’s Phase-4 expansion encompasses the construction of 86 kilometers of new lines across five corridors. Currently, three corridors—Janakpuri West-R K Ashram Marg, Majlis Park-Maujpur, and Aerocity-Tughlakabad—are actively under construction. The remaining two corridors, Lajpat Nagar-Saket G Block and Indraprastha-Inderlok, are in the pre-tendering phase, awaiting further progress.
Delhi Metro’s Extensive Network and Driverless Operations
Delhi Metro now operates a comprehensive network spanning 391 kilometers and featuring 286 stations, including the NOIDA-Greater NOIDA corridor and the Rapid Metro in Gurugram. The fleet consists of around 350 Metro trains with configurations of four, six, and eight coaches running on both broad-gauge and standard-gauge tracks.
The Delhi Metro system is regarded as one of the most advanced in the world, particularly in the mass urban transit sector. India’s first driverless Metro operations began on the Magenta Line in December 2020, followed by the Pink Line in November 2021, setting a precedent for automated services across the network.
Looking Ahead: Continued Phase-4 Deliveries and Future Expansion
With the arrival of the first Phase-4 train, DMRC is set to ramp up its testing and delivery processes in the coming months. The successful integration of these new trains is expected to enhance connectivity and support the growing demand for efficient urban transportation in the national capital region.
