Delhi Chief Minister Atishi announced on Monday that infrastructure development in the national capital is advancing at a “war footing,” with significant progress in the fourth phase of the metro expansion. During her visit to the Mukundpur Depot, she inspected state-of-the-art driverless metro trains, which are set to roll out within the next three to four months.
“Today, I inspected the driverless train at the Mukundpur Depot. These trains will start operating in the next few months, and several Phase 4 metro lines will also commence operations soon,” the CM said. She highlighted the safety features of the driverless trains and confirmed that they will be deployed on the Magenta Line after rigorous testing.
Atishi credited former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for the rapid expansion of the Delhi Metro network. She pointed out that while only 193 km of metro lines were constructed between 1998 and 2014, Delhi Metro has expanded by one-and-a-half times in the last decade, now covering 288 stations compared to 143 in 2014.
The fourth phase of the Delhi Metro, covering an ambitious 186 km, is one of the largest expansions undertaken. Atishi expressed pride in the fact that Delhi Metro remains the only metro system in India with fully operational driverless trains, which have high safety standards and ensure efficient connectivity across the city.
Speaking on political developments, Atishi said that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) continues to attract members from various political parties, social organizations, and professions. “When AAP was formed in 2012, Arvind Kejriwal said that good people from any party are welcome to join. This process continues, and many people are joining AAP,” she stated.
On Delhi’s deteriorating air quality, Atishi criticized neighboring NCR states like Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh for failing to implement the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). “Other NCR states need to enforce GRAP, and the central government must act decisively to stop stubble burning in these states. Without these measures, the fog and smog affecting North India cannot be resolved,” she asserted.
The air quality in Delhi remained in the “severe plus” category for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, with a dangerously high AQI. Smog blanketed the city, reducing visibility and worsening pollution levels. Atishi called for collaborative efforts from all stakeholders to combat the crisis.
With the dual focus on infrastructure growth and addressing environmental challenges, Delhi’s government continues to prioritize the city’s development while urging national and regional cooperation to mitigate pollution.
