Delhi Metro to Become Worlds Longest by 2025
Delhi’s metro network is on the verge of setting a global benchmark, with the upcoming expansion poised to make it the world’s largest urban metro system by December 2025. Currently spanning 394 km, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is undertaking an ambitious expansion that will see its network surpass New York’s 399-km system, reaffirming its position as a backbone of urban mobility in the National Capital Region. With the addition of a crucial 12-km corridor, the city’s metro infrastructure is set to redefine urban transportation with enhanced connectivity, efficiency, and sustainability.
The expansion, a vital part of the ongoing Phase 4 development, underscores India’s rapid progress in metro infrastructure, which now stretches over 1,000 km across 29 states, making it the third-largest globally. At the heart of this transformation lies the construction of the Golden Line, an integral corridor connecting Tughlakabad to Aerocity. The recent breakthrough in tunnelling between Kishangarh and Vasant Kunj stations marks a significant milestone, ensuring seamless integration between South Delhi and key transit hubs. The completion of the first tunnel with a length of 1,550 metres was achieved using an advanced tunnel boring machine, with the second tunnel expected to be finalised by mid-2025. These developments are crucial for easing congestion, reducing travel time, and promoting a more sustainable mode of transport.
Delhi Metro’s expansion is not just about extending tracks but redefining the city’s urban commute with state-of-the-art infrastructure. Phase 4 comprises 40.109 km of underground metro corridors, with the Tughlakabad-Aerocity stretch alone featuring 19.343 km of subterranean passages. This extensive development is poised to enhance last-mile connectivity while significantly reducing the city’s carbon footprint by shifting a larger proportion of commuters to eco-friendly rail transport. With modernised stations, improved interchanges, and accessibility features such as escalators, elevators, and tactile tiles for the visually impaired, the metro expansion is setting a precedent for inclusive urban transport.
As of March 2025, the Delhi Metro operates ten colour-coded lines across 289 stations, covering not just the capital but also extending into neighbouring cities such as Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Bahadurgarh, and Ballabhgarh. This expansion will further strengthen connectivity within the National Capital Region, allowing millions of daily commuters to experience faster, more efficient, and environmentally conscious transit. The network’s integration of broad-gauge and standard-gauge tracks, alongside cutting-edge station designs, reflects its commitment to modernising urban transport in alignment with India’s sustainable development goals. With its continued growth, Delhi Metro is not only redefining the city’s mobility landscape but also setting a global example of a future-ready urban transport system that prioritises efficiency, inclusivity, and sustainability.
