*DELHI METRO: THE LIFELINE OF DELHI-NCR, BACKBONE OF INDIA’S URBAN MASS TRANSIT NETWORK* *HANDLED RECORD 235.8 CRORE PASSENGER JOURNEYS IN 2025* With the inauguration of two new Delhi Metro sections, one each on Pink and Magenta Line last Sunday (8th March), the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) continues to maintain its position as India’s largest operational Metrorail network, playing a pivotal role in the country’s rapidly expanding urban rail ecosystem. With this expansion, India now has the third-largest Metro network in the world, with over 1,143 km of operational Metro lines in 26 cities, with nearly 1.15 Crore passenger journeys being performed by them every day. Delhi Metro alone accounts for over 55% of those daily journeys performed by Metrorail systems across the country. Out of this 1,143 km operational Metro network in the country, the Metro network in Delhi-NCR alone accounts for about 416 km with the 303 stations which include around 29 KMs of Noida-Greater Noida Metro with 21 stations and Rapid Metro Gurugram with around 13 KMs and 12 stations connecting Delhi with key NCR cities such as Noida, Greater Noida and Gurugram. The Delhi Metro operates 343 trains (2368 coaches) and runs around 4,508 train trips daily, covering approximately 1,40,112 train kilometres every day, ensuring high-frequency and reliable services across the network. Delhi Metro also maintains an exceptional punctuality level of about 99.9%, making it one of the most reliable Metro systems in the world. With such a robust Metro system which accounts for more than one third of country’s total Metrorail network, Delhi Metro also continues to witness steady passenger growth overcoming the Covid induced setbacks in the years 2020-2022. The overall passenger journeys recorded in the last two years as given below are a testimony to this:- 2024: 2,283.5 million passenger journeys i.e, around 223.5 Crore, in other words around 62.39 Lakh passenger journeys performed daily in 2024. 2025: 2,358.03 million passenger journeys i.e, around 235.8 Crore, in other words around 64.60 Lakh passenger journeys performed daily in 2025. The data from the past two years clearly indicates a steady increase in passenger inflow on the Delhi Metro network, highlighting the growing reliance of commuters on the system for daily. These two years also breached the highest passenger journeys record multiple times withing a span of few days. The highest passenger journeys in 2024 were recorded on 18 November 2024, when 78,67,649 passengers travelled on the network. Subsequently, the highest ever passenger journeys record was again achieved on 8th August 2025, when 81,87,674 passengers travelled on the network in a single day. *Delhi Metro is also home to not only India’s largest driverless Metro network, but also ranks amongst the world’s largest driverless Metro system available on:* *Pink Line:* 71.55 KMs from Majlis Park to Maujpur-Babarpur including Majlis Park to Shiv Vihar *Magenta Line*: 49.19 KMs from Krishna Park Extn to Botanical Garden & Deepali Chowk to Majlis Park. At present, DMRC has a total of 80 trains for these two Lines, reflecting DMRC’s adoption of advanced automation and globally benchmarked Metro technologies. Further strengthening the network, Phase-IV priority corridors are currently under construction. To support future operations, 52 new trains are being procured in a phased manner, out of which 18 trains have already been delivered. Over the years, Delhi Metro has emerged as the lifeline of urban mobility in Delhi-NCR, significantly reducing travel time, easing road congestion and promoting environmentally sustainable public transport. With its vast network, advanced technology and high operational efficiency, Delhi Metro continues to set benchmarks for urban rail systems not only in India but across the world.