The newly approved corridors for Phase 4 of the Delhi Metro include an extension of the Green Line from Inderlok to Indraprastha and a new Metro line from Lajpat Nagar to Saket G block. Transport and mobility experts anticipate that these corridors will play significant roles in alleviating congestion in parts of west, central, and south Delhi, potentially increasing Metro ridership.
These corridors are expected to divert nearly 5% of road transport users to the Metro, according to experts. However, they caution that the construction phase may lead to traffic bottlenecks and disruptions.
The proposed corridors are strategically planned to serve areas with bustling markets, commercial hubs, offices, and important residential neighborhoods. The extension from Lajpat Nagar to Saket G block aims to ease congestion along key routes and benefit areas like Press Enclave Marg, Lala Lajpat Rai Road, and Joseph Broz Tito Marg. Similarly, the extension from Inderlok to Indraprastha will bypass busy areas such as New Delhi railway station and Nabi Karim.
With the current public transport handled by the Delhi Metro at around 27%, experts anticipate a further increase in Metro usage with the introduction of these new corridors. The expansion is expected to facilitate smoother journeys with improved interchange facilities, reducing travel time and congestion on the roads.
Despite the expected benefits, experts caution against directly correlating Metro expansion with an immediate reduction in road congestion. Factors such as interchange time and the number of stations between the start and end of a journey also influence commuter choices.
Construction on these corridors is set to begin soon, with a completion deadline of March 2029. The Green Line extension will primarily be underground, while the Lajpat Nagar to Saket G block corridor will be elevated, providing improved connectivity across various parts of Delhi.
