Narela to benefit from new metro extension linking Delhi, UP, Haryana

The Public Investment Board of the Union Finance Ministry has cleared the proposal for the 26-km Rithala-Narela-Kundli Delhi Metro corridor. This extension of the existing Red Line now awaits final approval from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs. The new corridor will enhance inter-state connectivity among Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Haryana and significantly transform the Narela sub-city.

Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena played a key role in advocating for this project, frequently discussing the metro corridor with the central government. The Rithala-Narela-Kundli corridor, estimated to cost Rs 6,231 crore, includes Rs 5,685 crore for the Delhi portion and Rs 545.8 crore for the Haryana portion.

Funding Details

Funding for the project will be divided between the central and state governments. For the Delhi portion, the central government will cover 40% of the cost, with the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) contributing Rs 1,000 crore. The remaining costs will be funded through bilateral or multilateral loans (37.5%) and the Delhi government (20%). For the Haryana portion, 80% of the funding will come from the state government, with the central government providing the remaining 20%.

Infrastructure and Connectivity
The corridor, which will feature 21 stations, is expected to be completed in four years once sanctioned. It aims to significantly improve connectivity in the Narela-Bawana-Alipur areas, promoting infrastructure growth and development in these regions. Additionally, the corridor will address the long-standing requirements of the Rohini sub-city.

Previous Approvals and Current Status
In March, the Lajpat Nagar-Saket G Block and Inderlok-Indraprastha corridors, extensions of the Golden and Green lines respectively, were approved as part of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation’s (DMRC) Phase IV expansion. However, the Rithala-Narela-Kundli corridor had been awaiting approval. DMRC is currently working on 65 km of three priority Phase IV corridors: Janakpuri West-RK Ashram, Majlis Park-Maujpur, and Aerocity-Tughlaqabad.

Broader Connectivity
Delhi Metro continues to extend its network to neighboring regions including Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurgaon, and Bahadurgarh. The inclusion of Kundli in Haryana will further enhance this connectivity. The new corridor is expected to have a daily ridership of 1.3 lakh by 2028 and 3.8 lakh by 2055.

Impact on Narela Sub-City
The construction of this metro line is poised to significantly benefit the Narela sub-city. The DDA is developing an education hub in the area with campuses of seven universities and institutions, a multi-modal logistics park, corporate offices, IT-ITeS parks, an AIIMS, and a medical campus. The metro corridor will provide essential connectivity to these institutions and housing colonies.

Benefits for Rohini Sub-City
The Rohini sub-city will also gain from improved metro connectivity. Key locations such as the heliport at Sector-36, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre, Ambience Mall, Swarn Jayanti Park, the sports complex in Sector-14, Rohini District Courts Complex, and the Forensic Science Laboratory will all benefit from the new metro line.

Key Stations
Main stations on the new line will include sectors of Rohini, villages like Barwala, Sanoth, New Sanoth, and Narela JJ Colony, two stations in the industrial area at Bawana, and five stations in the Narela area, including Anaaj Mandi, DDA sports complex, Narela village, Depot station, and Narela Sector-5.

(With inputs from TOI)