Delhi's Metro network is set for a significant reshuffle in its record books. The Magenta Line is poised to claim the title of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation's (DMRC) longest single corridor, overtaking the current holder, the Pink Line. This change follows the recent Union Cabinet approval for a crucial new extension.
New Extension Seals the Title
The key to this shift is the newly approved 9.9-kilometer completely underground stretch connecting Ramakrishna Ashram Marg to Indraprastha. Once this section becomes operational, the total length of the Magenta Line will expand to an impressive 76.6 kilometers. This development is part of the broader Phase IV expansion of the Delhi Metro.
Currently, the Pink Line, which runs from Majlis Park to Shiv Vihar, holds the record with a span of 59.2 kilometers. It is also scheduled for an extension from Majlis Park to Maujpur in the coming months, which will increase its length to nearly 72 kilometers. However, even with that growth, the enhanced Magenta Line will still be longer, securing its new status.
Enhanced Connectivity for Central Delhi
The newly approved underground section is not just about length; it dramatically improves Metro access to the heart of the capital. A DMRC official highlighted that this corridor, designated as Phase VA, extends the existing Magenta Line further to Indraprastha, providing direct Metro connectivity to the Central Vista area for the first time.
The extension will feature nine new stations: RK Ashram Marg, Shivaji Stadium, Central Secretariat, Kartavya Bhawan, India Gate, War Memorial-High Court, Baroda House, Bharat Mandapam, and Indraprastha. This addition will create vital interchange points with other major lines:
- Yellow and Violet Lines at Central Secretariat.
- Blue Line at Indraprastha.
- Airport Express Line at Shivaji Stadium.
Furthermore, the stretch will improve access to key landmarks like the Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum, the Supreme Court, Patiala House Court, and the National Green Tribunal.
Decongestion and Infrastructure Upgrades
To streamline passenger movement, authorities have proposed a dedicated subway between Rajiv Chowk and Shivaji Stadium Metro stations. This passage will allow for direct interchange from the Airport Line to the Blue Line at Rajiv Chowk (Connaught Place), a move expected to significantly reduce crowding at the perpetually busy Rajiv Chowk station.
This expansion will also see the Magenta Line set another record. Presently, the Yellow Line has the most underground stations at 20. After the completion of Phase VA, the Magenta Line will boast 31 underground stations, the highest in the network.
The broader Phase IV plan for DMRC includes six new corridors totaling 112.4 kilometers and 94 new stations. Several of these, including the Majlis Park-Maujpur corridor, the RK Ashram Marg-Janakpuri West corridor, and the new Aerocity–Tughlakabad corridor (Golden Line), are slated to open within this year.
