Delhi Metro will help keep nearly 10.9 lakh vehicles off the roads every day by 2031, significantly easing congestion, reducing fuel use, and curbing air pollution across the National Capital Region (NCR), according to a study conducted by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
Sharing the findings on Tuesday, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said the number of vehicles taken off the road due to metro operations has been rising steadily — from 4.74 lakh in 2019 to 5.16 lakh in 2021 — with projections indicating more than a twofold increase by 2031.
The growing ridership has translated into substantial environmental benefits. Annual fuel savings, which stood at 2.55 lakh tonnes in 2021, are expected to reach 5.34 lakh tonnes by 2031. Similarly, the reduction in pollutants could rise from 7.77 lakh tonnes to 16.3 lakh tonnes over the same period.
Metro commuters collectively saved 269 million hours of travel time in 2021, a figure projected to more than double to 572 million hours by 2031. With 6.5–7 million daily passenger journeys, the Delhi Metro remains the city’s mobility backbone.
Sustainable initiatives
Highlighting its green initiatives, DMRC said it is the first metro system in the world registered under the UN Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), earning carbon credits through regenerative braking, solar power generation, and promoting a shift to public transport.
The corporation has installed 50 MW of rooftop solar capacity and sources an additional 345 million units annually from its Rewa solar facility, meeting 35 per cent of its energy needs. It also conducts extensive tree plantation and rainwater harvesting as part of its sustainability drive.
Currently operating 395 km across 10 colour-coded lines with 289 stations, the Delhi Metro’s Phase IV expansion—covering 112 km and costing ₹39,580 crore—is underway, backed by long-standing support from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
By 2027, the network is projected to extend to around 450 km, further strengthening Delhi-NCR’s public transport infrastructure.
