Delhi Metro is set to introduce India’s first metro corridor designed to operate with 3-coach trains, marking a significant milestone in the country’s urban transit network. The Lajpat Nagar to Saket G Block Metro Corridor of Phase-IV will be the second smallest metro line (8 kms) in the Delhi Metro network, enhancing last-mile connectivity while ensuring seamless interchange with existing metro corridors.
A First for India: 3-Coach Metro Trains
Unlike most metro lines that use 4, 6, or 8-coach trains, this innovative 3-coach system has been developed to cater specifically to short-distance urban travel. The smaller train configuration will provide a cost-effective and agile solution, ensuring better frequency and operational efficiency while accommodating a substantial number of daily commuters.
This corridor is not just about reducing train length—it’s about optimizing urban mobility with a future-ready, efficient, and cost-conscious metro system.
The Lajpat Nagar–Saket G Block corridor is being developed with a realistic assessment of passenger flow in mind. While high-density corridors require longer rakes to handle massive crowds, this stretch caters to a different category of commuters—short-distance travelers requiring frequent and efficient metro services.
The corridor’s Peak Hour Peak Direction Traffic (PHPDT) estimates indicate a manageable load, ensuring a comfortable travel experience without unnecessary overcapacity.
Shorter trains mean quicker turnaround times, allowing for a highly efficient frequency cycle.
As passenger numbers increase, train frequency can be gradually adjusted, ensuring that travel remains smooth, predictable, and congestion-free.
A smaller train format means lower energy consumption per trip, making it an environmentally responsible and financially prudent decision.
By investing in a 3-coach system, Delhi Metro is ensuring economic sustainability while still providing top-tier urban transit solutions.
Coach Capacity:
Seating and Standing Capacity per Coach: Approx. 300 passengers
Total Train Capacity (3-Coach Train): 900 passengers per trip
Strategic Connectivity: Stations on the Corridor
The new corridor will consist of eight strategically located stations, improving accessibility for key residential and commercial hubs:
1. Lajpat Nagar – Interchange with Pink & Violet Lines, a major commercial and transit hub.
2. Andrews Ganj – Serving residential and institutional areas.
3. GK-1 – Catering to Greater Kailash and surrounding neighbourhoods
4. Chirag Delhi –Improving access to South Delhi’s busy localities. Interchange with Magenta Line
5. Pushpa Bhawan – Connecting government offices and residential areas.
6. Saket Court – Enhancing accessibility to the Saket District Court Complex, Select City walk Mall and other offices etc.
7. Pushpa Vihar – Benefiting residents of Sectors 1, 3, 4, and 7.
8. Saket G Block– Interchange with the Golden Line, linking to Airport.
Infrastructure & Expansion Possibilities
Station Box Length: 74 meters, optimized for 3-coach train operations.
Ridership Projection and Capacity
Delhi Metro authorities anticipate significant ridership on this new corridor, given its connectivity to densely populated and high-footfall areas.
Projected Daily Ridership (2025): 60,000–80,000 passengers.
Projected Daily Ridership (2041): 1,20,000+ passengers with frequency enhancements.
Impact on Delhi’s Metro Network
This corridor will significantly improve last-mile connectivity, particularly for commuters traveling between South and Central Delhi. By reducing congestion on existing metro lines and providing seamless interchange at key stations, the project is expected to Reduce travel time for thousands of daily passengers, Improve accessibility to key institutional and commercial areas and promote sustainable urban transport with smart and eco-friendly infrastructure
