New Delhi

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved Phase-IV A of the Delhi Metro Rail Project, paving the way for a major expansion of the capital’s mass rapid transit network.

The approved phase will add 16 km to the Delhi Metro system and include 13 new stations — 10 underground and three elevated — to be constructed over a period of three years at an estimated cost of Rs 12,015 crore.

Announcing the decision, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the expansion would further strengthen urban mobility in the National Capital Region. With the new addition, the total length of the Delhi Metro network is expected to cross 400 km.

The Phase-IV A project will cover three corridors. The Ramakrishna Ashram Marg–Indraprastha corridor will span 9.9 km at a cost of Rs 9,570.4 crore. The Aerocity–Airport Terminal-1 corridor will be 2.3 km long with an estimated cost of Rs 1,419.6 crore, while the Tughlakabad–Kalindi Kunj corridor will extend 3.9 km at a cost of Rs 1,024.8 crore.

Officials said the expansion will improve connectivity, ease traffic congestion and promote sustainable urban transport in Delhi.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Metro completed 23 years of operations on Wednesday. The network currently spans over 352 km with 257 stations across 10 lines, including the Airport Line.

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The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has also been selected for the Indian Concrete Institute (ICI) Awards 2025 for the Maujpur–Majlis Park corridor under the category of Outstanding Prestressed Concrete Structure in the country.