Delhi Metro to roll out India’s first 3-coach train corridor on Lajpat Nagar-Saket G Block route

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is set to roll out the country’s first metro corridor specifically designed for three-coach trains, officials announced on Sunday. The new line will run between Lajpat Nagar and Saket G Block.

Part of the Phase-IV expansion of the Delhi Metro network, the corridor will cover a distance of eight kilometres, making it the second-shortest line within the system, according to a DMRC statement.

This route is intended to improve last-mile connectivity and facilitate seamless interchange with existing metro lines. Unlike other corridors that operate with four, six, or eight-coach trains, this line will use a specially developed three-coach configuration tailored for short-distance urban travel.

The DMRC noted that the smaller train format would offer a cost-effective and agile transit solution, enabling higher frequency and improved operational efficiency while still catering to a substantial number of daily commuters.

The decision to opt for three-coach trains is based on a careful analysis of expected passenger volumes. While high-capacity corridors require longer trains, the Lajpat Nagar–Saket route primarily serves short-distance travellers who benefit from frequent, efficient service, the corporation said.

The corridor’s estimated Peak Hour Peak Direction Traffic (PHPDT) has been calculated to ensure comfortable travel without the need for excess capacity. The three-coach system is aimed at achieving economic sustainability while maintaining high-quality urban transit standards.

Each coach will accommodate around 300 passengers, with a total train capacity of approximately 900 passengers per journey. The corridor will feature eight strategically located stations, enhancing access to key residential and commercial zones between Lajpat Nagar and Saket G Block.

Platform lengths along the route have been designed to 74 metres, optimised specifically for three-coach operations.

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“In March 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the project. Construction is now underway, and the corridor is slated for completion by 2028,” a DMRC official said.

(With inputs from PTI)