Ghaziabad plans New Metro Corridor linking Vaishali to Gokulpuri via Hindon Airport

Ghaziabad, India (Metro Rail Today): A major new metro connectivity project could soon transform urban mobility between Ghaziabad and northeast Delhi, as the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) has formally requested the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed Vaishali–Gokulpuri Metro Corridor. The planned 16-km route is expected to significantly improve regional connectivity while providing direct metro access to the Hindon Civil Terminal for the first time.

The proposed corridor will connect key residential and commercial zones including Vaishali, Sahibabad, Mohan Nagar, Pasunda, Hindon Civil Terminal, Gagan Vihar, and Gokulpuri through seven metro stations. Officials believe the project could benefit over five lakh daily commuters travelling between Ghaziabad, East Delhi, and adjoining NCR regions.

Metro Access Planned for Hindon Airport

One of the biggest highlights of the project is the proposed metro connectivity to Hindon Civil Terminal, which currently lacks direct rapid transit access. At present, passengers travelling to the airport depend largely on road transport such as autos, taxis, and private vehicles, as the nearest Delhi Metro stations — Dilshad Garden and Major Mohit Sharma Rajendra Nagar on the Red Line — are located around five kilometres away.

Although the Sahibabad Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) station offers improved regional connectivity, last-mile access continues to remain a major concern for passengers. The new metro corridor is expected to bridge this gap and provide seamless public transport access to the airport as well as surrounding urban areas.

The proposal is also being seen as a strategic infrastructure initiative aimed at strengthening multimodal integration between metro rail, RRTS, and airport transport infrastructure in the National Capital Region.

Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO of Urban Infra Group, said, “Integrated urban mobility is becoming the backbone of future-ready cities. The proposed Vaishali–Gokulpuri corridor has the potential to significantly improve regional connectivity while enhancing access to Hindon Airport and dense residential catchments in Ghaziabad. Such projects are critical for reducing road congestion and promoting sustainable mobility across NCR.”

Expansion Beyond Earlier Phase 5 Proposal

The latest proposal builds upon DMRC’s earlier Phase 5 plan, which had initially envisioned a shorter 12–13 km corridor between Gokulpuri and Arthana. The GDA has now proposed extending the alignment up to Vaishali to cover high-density residential clusters such as Indirapuram, Vasundhara, and Vaishali.

Urban planners believe the extension could substantially improve east-west connectivity in Ghaziabad while reducing dependency on private vehicles and congested road corridors.

The project is also expected to support future transit-oriented development along the proposed alignment, particularly around Sahibabad and Indirapuram, which continue to witness rapid urban expansion.

Additional Metro Expansion Plans in Ghaziabad

Apart from the Vaishali–Gokulpuri corridor, the GDA is also pursuing two additional metro expansion projects aimed at strengthening connectivity within Ghaziabad.

One proposal involves a 3-km extension from Shaheed Sthal New Bus Adda metro station to Ghaziabad Railway Station, while another seeks to connect Noida Electronic City to Sahibabad through a 5-km metro corridor covering Indirapuram, Shakti Khand, and Vasundhara Sector 5.

Together, the three proposed projects would add nearly 25 km to the region’s metro network with an estimated combined investment of around ₹7,500 crore.

Funding Challenges Remain

Despite growing demand for metro expansion, funding continues to remain a major hurdle for several proposed corridors in Ghaziabad. The Noida Electronic City–Sahibabad corridor, whose DPR was prepared at an estimated cost of ₹1,873 crore, has remained delayed since 2018 due to financial constraints.

The GDA had earlier sought financial assistance worth ₹2,441 crore under the 16th Finance Commission framework. Officials now expect progress once DPRs for the new projects are completed by housing ministry agencies, potentially enabling funding support from both the central and Uttar Pradesh governments.

If approved, the Vaishali–Gokulpuri metro corridor could emerge as a crucial addition to NCR’s expanding rapid transit network, improving mobility, reducing travel time, and delivering direct metro connectivity to Hindon Airport for the first time in the region’s history.