NEW DELHI: Amid the choking pollution crisis in the national capital, the Delhi Metro achieved a historic milestone on November 18, recording its highest-ever daily ridership of 78.67 lakh passenger journeys. This figure surpassed the previous record of 77.49 lakh set just three months ago on August 20, according to official data.
The Yellow Line, which connects Gurugram’s Millennium City Centre to Samaypur Badli in Delhi, emerged as the busiest route, handling an astounding 20.99 lakh passengers. The Blue Line followed closely with 20.80 lakh commuters, while the Red Line recorded 8.56 lakh passengers. The Pink Line and Violet Line saw 8.15 lakh and 7.93 lakh passengers, respectively.
Other lines, including the Magenta Line, Green Line, Airport Line, and Rapid Metro, also recorded significant ridership. Notably, the Airport Line handled 81,985 passengers, while the Grey Line saw 50,128 commuters.
Rising pollution levels prompt Metro push
As Delhi continues to grapple with hazardous air quality, which remained in the “severe plus” category with a pollution level of 488 on November 19, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has ramped up its services to encourage more people to choose metro over private vehicles. In response to the growing demand, the DMRC is running 60 extra trips on weekdays, ensuring additional capacity to handle the surge in ridership.
“Opting for the metro not only helps reduce vehicular emissions but also contributes to improving the city’s air quality,” the DMRC emphasized in an official statement. Since August 2024, the DMRC has recorded its 25 highest ridership days, underlining the growing shift to metro transport amid the pollution crisis.
Convenience and environmental initiatives
To further ease commuter experience, the DMRC has introduced several measures. Passengers can now book single or multiple journey tickets through various digital platforms, enabling them to plan their travels conveniently without the need to wait in long queues. The DMRC has also partnered with organizations such as IRCTC, NCRTC, and ITPO to offer interconnected travel options, providing a seamless experience.
In addition to its convenience, the Delhi Metro prides itself on its environmental credentials. It is the first metro system in the world to be registered for carbon credits by the United Nations, highlighting its commitment to sustainability and reducing the city’s overall carbon footprint.