Supreme Court Approves Delhi Metro Phase-IV with Environmental Safeguards

The Supreme Court of India has granted the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) permission to begin construction on Phase-IV of the metro project, contingent upon strict adherence to environmental safeguards laid out by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC). This decision comes in light of ecological concerns surrounding the project's route through the ecologically sensitive Aravalli Ridge.

Appearing on behalf of DMRC, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the Court that the Corporation would fully comply with all 10 conditions recommended by the CEC. Phase-IV includes two corridors—Inderlok to Indraprastha and Lajpat Nagar to Saket G Block—that will traverse 28,685 square meters of the Aravalli morphological ridge, a protected and ecologically critical terrain under various judicial directives.

According to the CEC’s report dated April 25, the first corridor will impact 20,915 square meters of land and necessitate the removal of 122 trees. The second, revised corridor will disturb 7,770 square meters and require the felling of only six trees. The CEC has mandated compliance with the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, including securing prior permissions, planting 1,280 native tree species as compensation, transplanting affected trees under expert supervision, and contributing 5% of the project cost to the Ridge Management Board (RMB).

DMRC has committed to completing the central section of Phase-IV by April 2026. The project was approved by the Union Cabinet in March 2024 and is targeted for full commissioning by 2029, with civil construction set to begin immediately.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.