New Delhi: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will operate 20 additional train trips on weekdays from Thursday as Delhi-NCR implements the first phase of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-I) to address rising air pollution.
The additional services encourage commuters to use public transport instead of private vehicles, helping reduce road congestion and vehicle emissions. The DMRC has also stepped up dust-control measures at construction sites and surrounding areas to limit pollution from ongoing infrastructure work.
Additional Metro Services to Ease Congestion
The 20 additional trips will operate from Monday to Friday, improving service availability during peak hours and helping passengers access trains with shorter waiting times.
The move comes as air pollution levels rise across the national capital region with the onset of winter. The DMRC is seeking to encourage greater use of the Metro to reduce the number of private vehicles on roads and limit transport-related emissions.
Dust-Control Measures at Construction Sites
The DMRC has directed engineers to conduct regular inspections of construction sites and adjoining roads to ensure compliance with pollution-control requirements.
Construction materials, including sand, cement and soil, must be covered with tarpaulins or green nets to prevent dust from becoming airborne. Wheel-washing facilities must also remain operational to clean trucks and construction vehicles before they leave work sites, preventing soil from being carried onto public roads.
DELHI METRO AUGMENTING TRAIN TRIPS, INTENSIFYING DRIVES TO COMBAT POLLUTION
In the wake of implementation of GRAP-I in Delhi from today, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will be increasing train trips on weekdays (Mon-Fri) starting tomorrow i.e, from 22nd October 2026. DMRC will be also intensifying anti-pollution drives at its construction sites and surrounding areas across the national capital to help mitigate the pollution.
From tomorrow 22nd October 2026, Delhi Metro will be running 20 additional trips on its network for weekdays to encourage more and more people to use public transport than their personal vehicles. Similarly, a number of specific activities will be taken up to ensure decrease in dust levels inside construction sites, removal of road dust from the surrounding roads, removal of garbage from footpaths and road medians etc.
Delhi Metro’s engineers will be inspecting the construction sites as well as the surrounding roads thoroughly to ensure that all construction materials are properly covered and the wheel wash facilities for outgoing vehicles are in working condition.These drives will be conducted in addition to a number of measures already taken up by DMRC to handle the issue of pollution.
Approximately 31 kilometres of city roads are under DMRC’s temporary jurisdiction currently. These roads have been taken over by DMRC to facilitate Metro construction work in the vicinity. Most of these roads have already been repaired by DMRC to ensure that they do not contribute to any further pollution in the city.
In total, over 250 anti-smog guns/ mist guns have been installed at the construction sites, stations and office buildings to decrease dust levels. Daily inspections are being conducted by DMRC’s Environment department to ensure that all environmental norms are adequately followed.— Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (@OfficialDMRC) October 21, 2026
The measures also include removing dust from roads near Metro construction sites and promptly clearing garbage from footpaths and road medians.
The DMRC has installed more than 250 anti-smog guns, also known as mist guns, at Metro construction sites, stations and administrative buildings. These devices spray fine water droplets to help settle airborne dust particles.
The corporation’s Environment Department is conducting daily inspections to monitor compliance with environmental regulations and ensure pollution-control measures remain in place.
Road Repairs Underway
The DMRC is also temporarily maintaining around 31 kilometres of roads in Delhi affected by Phase IV Metro construction. The corporation said most roads under its responsibility have been repaired to reduce dust generated by vehicle movement on potholes and uneven surfaces.
The measures form part of the DMRC’s efforts to limit dust pollution from construction activities while supporting cleaner and more efficient travel across Delhi.
