Noida Metro extension approved: Rs 2,254cr Aqua Line link to Botanical Garden; 8 elevated stations planned

The PM Narendra Modi-led Union Cabinet approved the 11.6-km Aqua Line extension from Sector 142 to Botanical Garden, giving Noida a major metro connectivity boost and addressing a long-pending infrastructure demand.

The extension will integrate Noida’s Aqua Line with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation’s Blue and Magenta Lines at Botanical Garden, transforming it into a triple-interchange hub within the Delhi-NCR metro network.

The project will bridge a key connectivity gap along the 25-km Noida Expressway, benefiting IT/ITES parks, corporate campuses, educational institutions and residential high-rises in fast-growing sectors.

Once operational, commuters from the Aqua Line will be able to directly access Delhi’s domestic airport via the Magenta Line, improving seamless transit between Noida, Greater Noida and Delhi.

With Pari Chowk around 40 km from Noida International Airport, the corridor will play a strategic long-term role in linking IGI and the upcoming airport.

The Rs 2,254-crore corridor will include eight elevated stations — Botanical Garden and sectors 96, 44, 105, 93, 97, 108 and 91 — and is targeted for completion within four years.

Announcing the decision, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the new corridor will expand Noida and Greater Noida’s active metro rail network to 61.6 km.

The Noida Metro Rail Corporation submitted the DPR on Jan 5, 2024, secured state approval in June, and received final Cabinet clearance after revisions sought by the ministry of housing and urban affairs.

Currently, commuters travel to Sector 51 and walk to Sector 52 to access the Blue Line; the new corridor is expected to cut travel time between Sector 142 and Botanical Garden from 45 minutes to about 15.

A resident said, “have to reach Sector 51 and then change to Sector 52. The skywalk between the two stations is still under construction, which makes the interchange inconvenient.” He added, “Covering barely 12 km takes a long time.”