Story by Bahari Duniya | Written by Disha Sharma
To tackle rising air pollution in the national capital, Delhi Metro is set to introduce luxury coaches on its six-car trains, aiming to attract car owners to shift to public transport. In addition, premium cab services will be available at metro stations to provide convenient last-mile connectivity, ensuring commuters can reach their homes or workplaces comfortably. This move is expected to promote cleaner travel while reducing the number of private vehicles on the roads.
The initiative was unveiled by Housing and Urban Affairs Minister, Manoharlal Khattar, during a public event in Lajpat Nagar on Thursday. As part of the plan, Delhi Metro will introduce luxury coaches on six-car trains to encourage car owners to switch to public transport. Alongside this, premium cab services will be stationed at metro hubs to ensure commuters can reach their homes or offices conveniently, promoting cleaner travel and reducing traffic congestion in the city.
Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manoharlal Khattar stated that the initiative will help ease traffic congestion across Delhi. By encouraging more people to use the Metro instead of private vehicles, the move is expected to lower smog levels and curb pollution in the city. Currently, the Delhi Metro serves around 35 lakh commuters daily, and the addition of luxury coaches along with cab connectivity aims to make public transport a more attractive and convenient option.
Highlighting the role of the Metro in combating air pollution, Minister Manoharlal Khattar remarked, “One can only imagine the state of Delhi’s pollution today if the Metro did not exist.” He stressed that initiatives like luxury coaches and cab connectivity will further encourage commuters to leave their private vehicles behind, helping reduce smog and ease traffic on the city’s roads.
The Union Minister pointed out that Delhi has faced persistent challenges for the past two decades, with little effective action taken. “The city grapples with issues ranging from road conditions and transportation to waste management. In total, eighteen major problems have been identified for the capital,” he added, underlining the urgent need for comprehensive solutions alongside initiatives like the Metro upgrades.
The Ministry of Urban Development holds monthly meetings with the Delhi government to tackle these challenges systematically, addressing each issue one by one. Expanding the Metro network is a key part of these discussions, with over 400 kilometers of lines currently operational across Delhi-NCR. Such efforts aim to improve connectivity, reduce traffic, and contribute to lowering pollution levels in the capital.
Minister Khattar highlighted India’s rapid metro expansion, saying, “We will soon surpass Chicago in terms of the longest network in a single city. Across the country, there are 1,100 kilometers of metro lines, with 800 kilometers currently under construction. Once the remaining 400 kilometers are operational, India will have the longest metro network in a single country, overtaking the United States.”
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