The Delhi Metro today received its first Phase-4 Metro train marking a big deal in further expanding its network. The Delhi Metro has procured the six-coach train to operate on the priority sections of its Phase-4 project.
On September 23, 2023, delegates from DMRC and Alstom revealed the train set. Alstom’s Rolling Stock facility in Sricity near Chennai manufactured the six cars, which were then transported to Delhi. Currently, the Mukundpur depot is stabling this train, where it will undergo a series of tests required for certification before it can commence revenue service.
Under the RS-17 contract, DMRC will get 312 metro coaches in total, which would run on Phase-4’s priority corridors. The routes are: Majlis Park-Maujpur, Janakpuri West-R K Ashram Marg, and Tughlakabad-Delhi Aerocity. The trains will be delivered in phases over the next few months.
DMRC will use 234 of the 312 coaches to extend the already operational Line-7 (Pink Line) and Line-8 (Magenta Line). These trains will handle the traffic load on the Majlis Park to Maujpur and Janakpuri West to R K Ashram Marg corridors. The remaining 78 coaches will serve the Tughlakabad to Delhi Aerocity corridor.
Delhi Metro built all Phase-4 trains to operate without drivers, in line with its plans for world-class services. The local manufacturers produced the trains, supporting the Government of India’s Make in India initiative. The design of each train allows it to operate safely at speeds up to 95 km/h, with an operational speed of 85 km/h. The trains also feature GOA 4 driverless technology.
The expansion also involves 86 kilometers of new metro lines in five corridors in Delhi. Of the five corridors, three – Janakpuri West to R K Ashram Marg, Majlis Park to Maujpur, and Aerocity to Tughlakabad – are under construction. While the remaining two – Lajpat Nagar to Saket G Block and Indraprastha to Inderlok – are under pre-tendering.
Presently, Delhi Metro operates 391 kilometers of network with 286 stations. The fleet is more than 350 trains in configurations of four, six, and eight coaches. The Phase-4 project will further improve connectivity in the city, reducing traffic congestion.
The Delhi Metro remains among the most advanced metro rail systems in the world. It began driverless operations on the Magenta Line in December 2020. And extended the technology to the Pink Line the following November.
