Delhi Metro recorded its highest-ever single-day passenger footfall on September 17, with 82,44,903 passenger boardings across its network as a strike by private agency drivers working with the Delhi Transport Corporation entered its fourth day, according to figures released by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.
The latest count exceeded the previous record of 81,88,115 passenger boardings recorded on August 8, 2025, by 56,788. It was also higher than the 81,01,159 boardings recorded on August 27 this year, the Millennium Post reported.
The increase followed a sharp rise in passenger volumes within a single day. The Metro recorded 80,71,630 passenger boardings on September 16, meaning the September 17 figure was more than 1.7 lakh higher. The figures indicate the scale of additional demand placed on the Metro as commuters faced disruption to bus services during the drivers’ strike.
The strike involves contractual drivers of the DTC’s private agencies, who are seeking higher wages along with medical and social security benefits. With the disruption continuing, the DMRC had prepared additional services to manage the increase in passengers using the Metro network.
On September 16, the DMRC increased train trips by 20 across its network and operated eight additional trains according to operational requirements. The arrangement continued on September 17, when eight extra trains were deployed between 8 am and 8 pm, particularly to manage peak-hour crowds.
Santosh Chalke, IPS, DIG, CISF Unit DMRC, said the record reflected coordination between security personnel and Metro authorities. “Handling 82,44,903 passenger boardings in a single day is not just a milestone number; it is a true reflection of the joint commitment of the CISF and the DMRC in providing seamless security and passenger facilitation across the National Capital Region,” he said.
The record also places renewed attention on the Delhi region’s dependence on the Metro when another major public transport mode is disrupted. The latest figures cover passenger boardings across the network, which extends beyond Delhi to include the Noida-Greater Noida corridor and Gurugram’s Rapid Metro.
The DMRC operates a network of around 416 km with 303 stations. Established in 1995 as a joint venture between the Centre and the Delhi government, it also undertakes Metro operations and maintenance in cities including Mumbai, Chennai and Patna.
The additional services and train deployment were the operational measures reported for the two days covered by the record passenger counts. The drivers’ strike had entered its fourth day when the September 17 footfall was recorded.
