NOIDA: “As Noida and Greater Noida grow, why should daily commutes become longer?” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday as he welcomed the Union Cabinet’s approval for extending the Aqua Line Metro corridor from Noida Sector 51 to Greater Noida Sector 4.The expansion, he said, would improve access to offices, schools, hospitals and commercial hubs, reduce congestion and make daily travel easier for residents.In a post on X, Modi described the approval as a major boost to connectivity and ease of living in the two rapidly growing cities.The project will add an 8.449-km elevated stretch with five stations to the Noida Metro network and is expected to improve public transport access across several residential, commercial and institutional areas.Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the project would cost Rs 2,390 crore. Once operational, the extension will take the combined active Metro Rail network in Noida and Greater Noida to 71.878 km, according to the government.
Five stations, one key interchange
The approved corridor will run from Noida Sector 51 to Greater Noida Sector 4, adding approximately 8.449 km of elevated metro tracks and five stations.One of the key connectivity gains will be the interchange with the Blue Line at Noida Sector 61. This will allow commuters to connect with the Blue Line network and improve access to other parts of the Delhi-NCR region.Vaishnaw said the extension would benefit several IT companies and Global Capability Centres (GCCs) located in the area. He also pointed to the potential for better access to airports from different parts of the Delhi region.The minister said a major multimodal transportation hub, including a mega railway terminal, was also being developed at the site.The metro extension is expected to complement this infrastructure and improve access to transport hubs, including Delhi’s airport, railway stations and bus depots.
Commercial hubs set to get better connectivity
The extension is expected to link several commercial and business locations across Noida and Greater Noida with the metro network.Among the commercial destinations mentioned by the government are Gaur City Mall, H&S Mall, Blue Sapphire Mall and Anthurium Mall, along with commercial spaces in Greater Noida Sector 4. IKEA in Noida Sector 51 is also among the locations expected to benefit.The corridor will also improve access to offices and business establishments, including Tech Mahindra’s office and TCL Tech’s office in Noida Sector 60, the Oil Industry Development Board in Sector 73 and Golden I’s office and commercial space in Greater Noida Sector 4.With several multinational companies and IT hubs located in these areas, the government expects the extension to make daily commutes easier for employees and other professionals travelling to work.
A metro closer to homes, schools and hospitals
The proposed stretch is also expected to improve connectivity for residents of major housing clusters in the region.The government has identified Cleo County Residences in Noida Sector 122 and Gaur City 1 and 2 in Greater Noida Sector 4 among the residential areas that will benefit from the expansion.Educational institutions in the corridor’s catchment areas include Delhi Public School in Noida Sector 122.The improved network is also expected to provide better access to healthcare facilities such as Kailash Hospital, Rama Hospital in Noida Sector 70, Cloud9 Hospital in Sector 51 and Rama Hospital in Sector 62.By connecting residential areas with workplaces, educational institutions, hospitals and commercial centres, the extension is expected to serve commuters travelling for employment, business, education and other everyday needs.
Less traffic, shorter journeys
The expansion is expected to provide an alternative to road transport and help ease congestion in Noida and Greater Noida. With more commuters using the metro, the government expects a reduction in road traffic, smoother movement of vehicles and shorter travel times.The addition of the new stretch is also expected to reduce carbon emissions compared with conventional fossil-fuel-based transport.Greater use of public transport could help lower dependence on private vehicles while improving access to different parts of the two cities.The government has also highlighted the project’s potential to improve productivity by reducing commuting time and making workplaces and other destinations more accessible. Improved metro connectivity could also encourage local businesses and attract investment in areas that were previously less accessible.
A boost to Noida’s expanding metro network
The 8.449-km extension will add to the existing metro infrastructure in Noida and Greater Noida, taking their combined active network to 71.878 km once the new corridor becomes operational.The government said the project would improve access to public transport across different socio-economic groups and help reduce disparities in connectivity.It is expected to make essential services and major destinations more accessible while supporting the region’s continued urban and economic development.(With agency inputs)
