Public transport in Delhi-NCR is set for a major upgrade after the Central Government approved Delhi Metro Phase 5-A. Once completed, the new phase will make metro travel faster and more convenient between Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad and Delhi’s IGI Airport.
Commuters will enjoy shorter travel times, smoother interchanges and better airport connectivity.
What is Delhi Metro Phase 5-A?
Phase 5-A includes two new metro corridors, both linked to the Golden Line (Tughlakabad-Aerocity), which is currently being built under Phase 4:
- Aerocity-Airport Terminal 1 Corridor
- Tughlakabad-Kalindi Kunj Corridor
These corridors will extend the Golden Line, improving connections across South Delhi and beyond.
Golden Line construction progress
The Golden Line is 23.622 km long and officials say around 65% of the work is already complete. A total of 15 metro stations are being built along this route.
Originally, the Golden Line was planned to go up to Airport Terminal 1, but later the plan was changed and construction was limited to Aerocity.
Now, with Phase 5-A approved:
- A 2.3 km underground metro tunnel will be built from Aerocity to Airport Terminal 1
- A new Airport Terminal 1 Metro Station will be added
- The Golden Line will finally reach Terminal 1
On the other side, an elevated metro corridor will be built between Tughlakabad and Kalindi Kunj.
Since both corridors are short, officials say construction could be completed along with the ongoing Phase 4 work, if tenders are cleared quickly.
Aerocity to become a key interchange station
At present, the Airport Express Line has limited interchange options between Dwarka Sector 21 and New Delhi Railway Station.
Once Phase 5-A is ready, Aerocity will become a major interchange station on the Airport Express Line. This will make it easier to travel to South Delhi and several other parts of the city.
It will also help reduce the heavy crowding currently seen at Hauz Khas Metro Station.
Two metro options from Noida to the Airport
Easier airport travel from Noida
Right now, passengers can travel directly from Botanical Garden (Noida) to Airport Terminal 1 via the Magenta Line.
After Phase 5-A:
- Noida commuters will get another metro route to the airport
- Passengers can travel from Botanical Garden to Kalindi Kunj on the Magenta Line
- From Kalindi Kunj, they can take the Golden Line to Aerocity
- From Aerocity, they can switch to the Airport Express Line to reach Terminal 3
This means more flexibility and less pressure on a single route.
Noida to Gurugram in just 45 minutes
Big time savings for daily commuters
Currently, it takes around 77 minutes to travel from Noida’s Botanical Garden to Gurugram, usually via a line change at Hauz Khas.
After Phase 5-A:
- Take the Magenta Line from Botanical Garden to Kalindi Kunj
- Switch to the Golden Line and travel directly to Chhatarpur
- From there, change to the Yellow Line to reach Gurugram
This new route will cut travel time to around 45 minutes, saving over 30 minutes for daily commuters.
India Gate to get direct metro access
Big relief for tourists and locals
Under Phase 5-A, the RK Ashram-Indraprastha corridor will be developed as an extension of the Magenta Line.
A new India Gate Metro Station will be built on this stretch, making it much easier for people to reach the iconic landmark.
This corridor connects with ongoing Phase 4 construction between Janakpuri West and RK Ashram.
Metro network to cross 500 km in NCR
Once Phase 4 and Phase 5-A are completed:
- Delhi Metro’s total length will cross 475 km
- The overall NCR metro network will exceed 500 km
Delhi Metro has completed 23 years of service and its growing network continues to make daily travel smoother and more comfortable for millions.
Why this matters
With faster routes, new interchange stations and better airport access, Phase 5-A will significantly improve daily travel across Delhi-NCR. Whether you’re heading to work, catching a flight or visiting India Gate, metro journeys are about to become quicker, easier and less crowded.
