Delhi Metro On Expansion Spree: DMRC To Expand Its Depots To Cater To Upcoming Lines

In a move that indicates the rapid expansion of the Delhi Metro, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has decided to expand the capacity of its Mukundpur Depot to serve new lines under construction as part of phase-IV.

Under Phase 4, the Delhi Metro is adding around 65 kilometres of new lines on three corridors, i.e., Majlis Park to Maujpur (12.31 km), Janakpuri West to R K Ashram Marg (29.26 km) and Delhi Aerocity to Tughlakabad (23.62 km). The construction work on these corridors is in progress.

The expanded depot at Mukundpur would cater to two corridors of phase IV, namely Majlis Park to Maujpur (Extension of Pink Line) and Janakpuri West to R K Ashram Marg (Extension of Magenta Line).

“Some of the existing stabling lines in Mukundpur Depot will be further expanded and some new stabling lines will be added to accommodate more trains for stabling and maintenance,” DMRC said.

The Mukundpur depot currently has 24 stabling lines. Of these, 11 are being extended in length and will be used for stabling and maintenance of rolling stock of Pink Line, while the rest 13 stabling lines will cater to the needs of Magenta Line.

Tenders have already been awarded for expanding most of the depot components, and the revamped facility at Mukundpur Depot is expected to be operational by the end of 2024.

In addition, DMRC plans to build six new elevated stabling lines at the already operational Majlis Park Metro Station (Pink Line) to reduce the burden on the depot.

The elevated stabling lines at the metro station bring down the train induction time. These lines will be similar to the elevated stabling facility built at the Magenta Line Jasola Vihar Shaheenbagh Metro Station.

Apart from Mukundpur Depot, the existing depots at Sarita Vihar and Ajronda are also being expanded with additional facilities to support the Silver Line (Delhi Aerocity to Tughlakabad) of Phase-IV and the operational Violet Line (Line 6 – Kashmere Gate to Raja Nahar Singh).

“With these initiatives, the Delhi Metro intends to avoid acquisition of additional land for construction of new depots and facilities for the phase-IV corridors. Rather, the existing resources with enhanced capacity will be utilised to their full potential, thus reducing expenditure and manpower requirement. The expanded depots will also include new test tracks for Pink and Magenta Lines,” DMRC added.