DMRC begins Central Vista Corridor work at Central Secretariat Station
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Wednesday, 24 June commenced construction at Central Secretariat Metro Station for the Central Vista Corridor, marking a milestone in the expansion of metro connectivity at the heart of New Delhi. Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal was present at the occasion alongside senior officials from the ministry and DMRC.
What the Central Vista Corridor Covers
The corridor stretches 9.913 km and includes nine underground stations: Shivaji Stadium, Yuge Yugeen Bharat, Central Secretariat, Kartavya Bhawan, India Gate, War Memorial–High Court, Baroda House, Bharat Mandapam, and Indraprastha. The project falls under Phase V(A), extending the existing Magenta Line from Janakpuri West to RK Ashram Marg.
Central Secretariat to Become a Triple Interchange Station
Central Secretariat will be developed as a triple interchange station, seamlessly linking the new Magenta Line extension with the existing Yellow Line and Violet Line. This is expected to significantly ease commutes for government employees and citizens accessing the Lutyens' Zone and surrounding administrative districts, including major government offices, judicial institutions, national memorials, and convention venues.
Magenta Line Set to Become Delhi Metro's Longest Corridor
Once fully operational, the Magenta Line (Line-8) — running from Botanical Garden to Inderlok — will span approximately 89 kilometres, making it the longest corridor in the Delhi Metro network. The line will feature 65 stations, of which 40 will be underground, and will operate entirely as a driverless metro corridor. The extensive interchange network is projected to reduce travel time, decongest key corridors, and deliver end-to-end connectivity across the city.
Engineering Landmarks on the Magenta Line
The Magenta Line already hosts two notable engineering achievements within the Delhi Metro system. Haiderpur Badli Mor is the network's highest elevated station, with a rail-level height of approximately 28.362 metres at Pier No. 340, while Hauz Khas is the deepest underground station at roughly 29 metres. These benchmarks underscore the corridor's complex engineering and technological ambition.
What This Means for Commuters
The Central Vista Corridor will provide direct metro access to some of India's most significant civic and administrative landmarks. This comes amid a broader push to decongest road traffic in the New Delhi core zone, where vehicular pressure on Rajpath-adjacent roads has long been a concern. With construction now formally underway, the next key milestones will be civil completion timelines and the commissioning schedule for the Phase V(A) extension.