In a bid to enhance connectivity in Ghaziabad, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has approached the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) seeking in-principle approval to prepare Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for four new Metro extensions in the city. Officials confirmed that GDA has received the formal request and is currently evaluating the proposals.
The DMRC’s proposal includes a combination of underground and elevated corridors, with the aim of improving accessibility between Ghaziabad and key parts of Delhi and Noida. Among the four extensions, the most ambitious is a 12km line from Gokulpuri on the Pink Line to Arthala on the Red Line. This proposed stretch will feature eight stations, including 4km of underground tracks and 8km of elevated lines. Approximately 6.5km of the total distance lies within Ghaziabad’s jurisdiction.
Rudresh Shukla, media coordinator for GDA, said, “We have received communication from DMRC requesting in-principle approval for preparation of DPRs for four Metro extensions. The authority is reviewing the documents and will provide approvals soon.”
According to the DMRC, the DPR preparation will be entirely funded by the central government, and the initiative is a part of the broader Phase 5 expansion plan of the Delhi Metro in the National Capital Region (NCR). Currently, the DMRC operates a 352.236km network in Delhi-NCR, while another 110.617km is under construction as part of Phase 4.
In addition to the Gokulpuri-Arthala line, the other proposed extensions include a 3km stretch from New Bus Adda to Ghaziabad Railway Station on the Red Line with one station, a 5.1km elevated route from Sahibabad to Noida Sector 62 on the Blue Line with five stations, and a 4km elevated corridor from Mohan Nagar to Vaishali on the Blue Line with four stations.
Of these, plans for the Sahibabad-Noida Sector 62 and Mohan Nagar-Vaishali lines have been under discussion since 2020. In January that year, DMRC submitted two DPRs to GDA — one estimating ₹1,517 crore for the Sahibabad-Noida route and another for ₹1,808.22 crore for the Vaishali-Mohan Nagar stretch.
Despite initial enthusiasm, the projects faced funding obstacles. In 2023, after a prolonged review, GDA decided to move ahead only with the Sahibabad-Noida Sector 62 extension. DMRC later submitted a revised cost estimate of ₹1,873.31 crore for the project in January 2024. However, no substantial progress was made, as the Uttar Pradesh state government declined GDA’s funding requests in both January and May 2023.
Shukla stated that funding decisions will be taken at a later stage. “As for the financial aspects, discussions are yet to be held. Right now, the focus is on granting approval for the DPRs,” he said.
In June 2024, GDA submitted a list of 21 infrastructure projects to the Uttar Pradesh Housing and Urban Planning Department, seeking a total funding of ₹2,400 crore. This list also includes the ₹1,873.31 crore required for the Sahibabad-Noida Metro extension. The requested funds are being sought under provisions of the Sixteenth Finance Commission.
Currently, Ghaziabad has two operational Metro extensions. The Blue Line stretches 2.31km into the city, connecting it to Anand Vihar in Delhi, while the Red Line covers 9.6km with eight stations inside Ghaziabad. The last Metro extension inaugurated in the city was the Red Line in March 2019, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
With the fresh proposals, Ghaziabad is looking to significantly expand its Metro footprint, addressing increasing commuter demands and reducing traffic congestion. If approved and funded, these corridors are expected to play a pivotal role in the city’s urban development and integration into the larger Delhi-NCR Metro network
