India: Delhi Metro completes 21 years of service. Here’s what it has achieved so far
File photo of Delhi Metro coaches.
The Delhi Metro on Sunday (Dec 24) completed 21 years of its operations. It currently has a network of 393 kilometres and 288 stations. In a statement, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said, "More than six million passenger journeys are being performed every single day on the Delhi Metro making it one of the largest mass transit systems in the entire world. In fact, the Delhi Metro is also one of the fastest-expanding Metro networks anywhere in the world."
The Delhi Metro was inaugurated on Dec 24, 2002, with the then Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee flagging off the first stretch of the network from Shahdara to Tis Hazari on the Red Line.
"In the last 21 years, more than 380 kilometres of additional lines have been laid in the NCR, which is a staggering feat and probably, the biggest infrastructure marvel created in the country. In addition, presently another 65 kilometres of new lines are being laid across the national capital, which will take the network length beyond 400 kilometres in the days to come," the DMRC said.
A look at the achievements in 2023
The DMRC mentioned a list of achievements of the Delhi Metro this year. On Sept 4, the network recorded over 7.1 million passenger journeys in a single day, which is the highest ever for the mass transit system.
)
No Pandya as Auqib Nabi earns maiden ODI call-up; Mayank returns for WI T20Is| check full squads
)
Trump praises India’s Opium crackdown, hails anti-drug efforts
Mandakini breaks silence on Dawood Ibrahim photo: 'I was not invited by him'
)
Former India player Diana Edulji wants Smriti Mandhana to replace Harman as skipper at the earliest
)
Trump calls Canada-EU associate membership plan ‘laughable’ and threatens 'very serious tariffs'
)
Protests erupt over migrant housing plan in Piddington
)
Shahzad Bhatti Network declared terrorist organisation under UAPA: Govt order
)
Europe wants a common playbook for security threats, seeks security beyond NATO
)
240-million-year-old bizarre 'pig with a tusk' creature creates new dilemma over origin of dinosaurs
)
Formula One reveals the 2027 race calendar; Monaco to host sprint race for the first time
)
All Indian goods to get duty-free access to New Zealand
)
Bigg Boss 20: Mahhi Vij reveals she lost Yuva role to Kareena Kapoor; 'didn’t work out in my favour'
)
Lionel Messi for 2026 Ballon d’Or over Mbappe and Yamal, says Diego Simeone
)
US House votes 417-3 to pass Ratepayer Protection Act targeting AI data center electricity costs
)
Hong Kong unveils 11 new measures to boost birth rates, offers higher cash bonuses and housing perks
)
Former OpenAI researcher warns of growing risks from Artificial Intelligence
)
Veteran actor Anant Nag honoured with Indian cinema’s highest award
)
Wildfire tears through forests in Spain's Valencia
)
AUS vs SA: Steve Smith still gets 'little flashbacks' from sandpaper gate
)
PM Modi’s 76th birthday: From Akshay Kumar to Shilpa Shetty, Bollywood celebs extend warm wishes
)
Pakistan naval vessel returns to harbour with 'severe damage' after collision with Indian warship in Arabian Sea
)
Fed raises rates for first time in 3 years, Kevin Warsh defies Trump as inflation mounts
)
Katrina Kaif’s postpartum weight is not the problem; your gaze is
)
Taiwan seeks deeper India ties as direct flights restart soon and chip projects advance
)
Daayra movie review: Kareena Kapoor, Prithviraj Sukumaran shine in Meghna Gulzar’s cop-versus-cop crime thriller
)
Saudi Vs Houthis: Yemeni military rebels clash with Houthis
)
Pak batter Rizwan's petition against being questioned by cyber crime agency rejected by court
)
US trade tariff: 100% tariff targets Russian buyers amid trade tensions
)
Pakistan: Imran Khan's sons Kasim & Sulaiman claim their father is 'tortured' in jail
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (September 14-20, 2026): Lust Stories 3, Waiting Hai, Irumudi- 5 new titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Ebola outbreak: WHO sees encouraging signs in fight against Ebola outbreak
)
Trump gets new power to hit India, China with up to 100% tariffs as US Senate clears Russia sanctions bill
)
‘Imagine 50 AI fighters cornering one manned jet’: India’s mobbing doctrine eyes a new era of air warm
)
Saudi vs Houthis: Riyadh claims to have shot Houthi drone targeting Mecca
)
US Treasury rallies global financial institutions for Op Economic Outcast to isolate Iran
)
Want to get married within a year? Why 18 lakh people rush to Jaipur for ‘sacred henna’
)
Pakistan boycotts chess match against Israel at Olympiad
)
UN General Assembly 2026: What is veto power. Which countries have it and how does it work?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Suriya and Jyothika say ‘I do’ again after 20 years! See their dreamy wedding pics
)
Abhishek Sharma rises to No. 2 in T20Is; ENG’s Robinson 3rd after record Pakistan Tests
)
Laura Wolvaardt sets new world record for most WT20I runs in a year
)
The Early Spring season 2 is happening, but fans have one request - 'don't change the actors'
)
Thirteen days later (on Sept 17), the network started to operate the Airport Express Line at a speed of 120 kilometres per hour (kmph) compared to the earlier 90 kmph.
"This historic increase in speed of India’s fastest Metro corridor gradually from 90 KMPH to 120 KMPH was made possible by meticulous planning and time-bound implementation by DMRC’s engineers in consultation with a number of other government agencies and domain experts," the statement said.
Also on Sept 17, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Dwarka Sector 21 – Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector 25 extension of the Airport Express Line as well, which now provides the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre with Metro connectivity.
On Nov 1, the Delhi Metro launched Momentum 2.0 - an innovative platform set to redefine the daily commuting experience for millions in the National Capital Region (NCR).
"The app provides instant and direct access to services such as Integrated QR Ticketing (mainline and airport line), a wide array of e-shopping choices, digital lockers for quick and safe deliveries, Smart Utility Payments and last-mile connectivity options," the statement further said.