The Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) is advancing plans for the Aqua Line extension, with tenders expected to be issued next month for two corridors. These include an 11.56-kilometer stretch from Botanical Garden to Sector 142 and a 2.6-kilometer link from Depot to Boraki. The extensions aim to enhance last-mile connectivity across Noida and Greater Noida, facilitating seamless travel to Indira Gandhi International Airport via the Magenta Line interchange at Botanical Garden.
Corridor Details and Approvals
The Botanical Garden-Sector 142 corridor received central government approval in February of this year, while the Depot-Boraki stretch was cleared in July last year. This paves the way for the execution of these key infrastructure projects. According to project details, the Botanical Garden-Sector 142 corridor will span 11.56 kilometers and include eight elevated stations: Botanical Garden, Sector 44, Sector 96 (Noida Authority office), Sector 97, Sector 105, Sector 108 (police commissionerate), Sector 93, and Panchsheel Balak Inter College in Sector 91. The project is estimated to cost Rs 2,254 crore and is expected to be completed within three years.
The corridor is strategically significant as it will directly connect Botanical Garden—a major interchange for the Blue Line and Magenta Line—with key sectors, improving access towards Greater Noida and Jewar. This will also enable metro travel to Indira Gandhi International Airport. The shorter Depot-Boraki route, estimated at Rs 416 crore, will include two stations: Junpat and Boraki. This stretch is crucial as it will link the proposed Multimodal Transport Hub (MMTH) at Boraki village, which will also house an Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) and a railway passenger terminal, making the metro extension vital for seamless multimodal transport integration.
Tendering Process and Consultancy
Kranti Shekhar, OSD of Noida Authority and executive director of NMRC, stated that tenders to hire developers will be issued next month. Recently, NMRC issued a tender to hire a general consultant for the two projects. The general consultant will be tasked with supporting NMRC in delivering two elevated metro corridors. The consultant will undertake validation studies, review the Detailed Project Report (DPR), alignment, geotechnical data, and system requirements. It will also assist in preparing tender documents to hire developers, define specifications, and support contract award processes. During execution, the consultant will play a central role in supervision and monitoring, overseeing construction activities and ensuring adherence to quality, safety, and environmental norms. Once the general consultant is selected, tenders for the two projects will be issued within a month.
Last year, NMRC hired a detail design consultant, which has prepared designs for civil, architectural, electrical, and mechanical components for the two extension projects. Currently, the Aqua Line connects Noida Sector 51 to Depot Station in Greater Noida and records an average daily ridership of around 58,281 passengers, as per March 2026 data.
