Kamal Ghorui
The Magenta Line (Line-8) is set to become the longest corridor in the Delhi Metro network, with the highest number of interchange stations and underground sections, significantly strengthening cross-city connectivity across the National Capital Region, according to a Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) statement.The development comes following the recently sanctioned Phase-V (A), under which the Magenta Line will be extended from Ramakrishna Ashram Marg to Indraprastha via Central Vista. As part of this plan, the Indraprastha–Inderlok corridor under Phase-IV will be implemented as an extension of the Magenta Line.According to DMRC, the total length of the corridor “from Botanical Garden to Inderlok will be approximately 89 kilometres, making it the longest corridor in the Delhi Metro network.” The corridor will run fully driverless once it becomes completely operational.The corridor will also see a major expansion in interchange connectivity. Once completed, the Magenta Line will have 21 interchange stations. At present, the operational section has four interchange stations — Kalkaji Mandir, Botanical Garden, Janakpuri West and Hauz Khas.An additional 17 interchange stations will be added under Phase-IV and Phase V-(A), including Kalindi Kunj, Chirag Delhi, Terminal-1 IGI Airport, Peeragarhi, Pitampura (Madhuban Chowk), Haiderpur Badli Mor, Majlis Park, Azadpur, Pulbangash, Nabi Karim, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg, Shivaji Stadium, Central Secretariat, Indraprastha, Delhi Gate, New Delhi and Inderlok.Out of these, Central Secretariat, Azadpur, New Delhi and Inderlok will function as triple interchange stations, further improving multi-line connectivity for commuters.Once fully operational, the corridor will have 65 stations between Botanical Garden and Inderlok, of which 40 will be underground. DMRC said the extensive interchange and underground network is expected to reduce travel time, ease congestion on key routes and provide seamless end-to-end connectivity across the capital.The Magenta Line also features two major engineering milestones within the Delhi Metro network. Haiderpur Badli Mor station on the corridor is the highest elevated metro station in the system, with a rail level height of about 28.362 metres. Meanwhile, Hauz Khas station is the deepest underground metro station in the network, at around 29 metres below ground level.DMRC said these features underline the corridor’s advanced engineering complexity and technological capability within the expanding metro network.
