The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), which began operations with a small line on 25 December 2002, completed 21 years of journey in the year, dotted with several achievements

With an emphasis on technological adoption, encouraging public transit and sustainability initiatives, Delhi’s transport sector accomplished significant milestones in 2023. In honour of its 21st anniversary, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) celebrated with notable accomplishments. By adding 1,300 electric buses to the Delhi Transport Corporation’s (DTC) fleet this year, the Delhi government demonstrated its resolve to reduce pollution. By the end of 2025, there will be 10,480 buses overall, 80 per cent of which will be electric.

This ambitious goal was revealed by Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot on 14 December during the 500 electric bus flag-off. Lt. Governor V. K. Saxena approved the government’s plan to deploy luxury buses; the app-based bus aggregator programme aims to lower the number of private vehicles used within cities and the amount of pollution they produce.

Bike taxis in the capital were made possible in November after LG Saxena approved a plan for the licencing and regulating of delivery service providers and aggregators providing passenger transport services. The deadline for the Electric Vehicle Policy 2020 was extended until 31 December, with possible extensions after that. With more than six million passenger trips every day, the DMRC celebrated being one of the largest mass rapid transit systems in the world as it entered its 21 years of operation.

Notably, the DMRC shortened the distance between New Delhi and Dwarka Sector 21 stations by speeding up the Airport Express Line to 120 km/h. Commuter convenience was enhanced with the introduction of digital ticketing solutions, National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) compliance and a QR code-based ticketing system. With the introduction of “Momentum 2.0” on 1 November, which included integrated QR ticketing, e-shopping, digital lockers, smart utility payments and last-mile connectivity alternatives, daily commuting was completely transformed.

Following the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 epidemic, the DMRC achieved a notable milestone on September 4 with 71.03 lakh passenger journeys, signifying a major accomplishment in regaining its position as the mass transit hub of the whole NCR.