Union Railway and Information & Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the approval after the Cabinet meeting, stating that the expansion is aimed at easing congestion and improving last-mile connectivity in key urban pockets of the capital.
According to officials, the proposed RK Ashram Marg–Indraprastha corridor will have eight stations, forming the largest component of the expansion. Another corridor between Tughlakabad and Kalindi Kunj will include three stations, while the remaining stations will come up on the third approved stretch. Detailed alignment plans and station locations are expected to be released by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) in the coming weeks.
The expansion is expected to improve connectivity to densely populated and commercial areas, reduce dependence on road transport, and cut travel time for daily commuters. Construction work is likely to begin after statutory clearances and tendering processes are completed.
The Metro approval was part of a broader set of policy decisions cleared by the Cabinet. Vaishnaw also reiterated that India’s next census will be conducted digitally in 2027, with ₹11,718.24 crore allocated for the exercise. The census will be carried out in two phases—house listing in 2026 and population enumeration in 2027—using a secure, app-based system.
In another key decision, the Cabinet cleared a bill to establish a single higher education regulator, the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhikshan, replacing bodies such as the UGC and AICTE, while keeping medical and law education outside its ambit.
The government also approved an increase in the Minimum Support Price for copra for the 2026 season and cleared a proposal to raise foreign direct investment in the insurance sector to 100%.
Officials said the Delhi Metro expansion aligns with the Centre’s focus on urban infrastructure and sustainable mobility as cities continue to grow.
