In a first, nine-coach trains may run in Delhi Metro's phase IV

New Delhi: In an another first, the Delhi Metro may operate nine-coach trains as part of its phase-IV network, which will be completed in next five years. However, the total length of the metro network in Delhi will be around 434 kilometres with 308 stations after the completion of the phase 4. The daily ridership after the phase 4 network is likely to go up to 63 lakh from the current 30 lakh. In the two lines of phase-III, the trains run with only six-coach as the length of the platforms is short.

Since ridership is expected to increase a lot, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has planned to keep the length of the platform long enough to handle nine-coach trains. "Only the length of the platforms of new/independent/stand-alone corridors have been proposed to have nine coaches," said an official.

"DMRC has proposed six lines in phase-IV but only four of them are new lines. Two are extensions of existing lines. The four new lines will have nine-coach trains," according to the sources.

Out of six corridors, only three got approval from the Union government and these chosen projects under phase IV are: Janakpuri West-RK Ashram (28.92 km, 21.18-km elevated ), Mukundpur-Maujpur (12.54 km, elevated), Aero City-Tughlakabad (20.2 km, 5.58-km elevated).

"They will boost ease of living in a city which is showing unprecedented urbanisation. It will open the door for transformative economic activities. We expect Phase IV to be completed in five years time," the official said.

"One coach can carry 300 passengers and overall capacity of Delhi Metro train will increase if we have more coaches. Initially, we will start with four or six coach trains, depending on the requirement and later, whenever we feel that there is congestion, we will press nine-coach trains," said an official.

The RK Ashram to Janakpuri West is expected to have 25 stations, Maujpur-Mukundpur is expected to have six stations and 20 km Tughlakabad-Delhi Aerocity line will connect South Delhi and the international airport and will have interchanges with the Violet and Airport Express lines.

Out of the total 61.679 km, 22.359 km will be built underground and 39.320 km will be constructed as elevated section. These corridors will consist of 46 stations, of which 17 stations will be underground and the rest 29 stations will be constructed as elevated sections, a government statement said.