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Union urban affairs minister Manohar Lal Khattar recently stated that the government is considering adding luxury coaches to the Delhi Metro. The idea is to attract wealthier commuters and reduce the number of private cars on the roads. But transport experts believe that this step alone will not convince affluent
people to leave their cars behind. They say that the main issue is poor last-mile connectivity, the difficulty people face in reaching metro stations comfortably.
Reason Behind Delhi Metro Luxury Coaches
Experts also suggest that stronger measures, including congestion taxes and higher parking fees, may be more effective in discouraging the use of private cars. Delhi Metro currently operates a network of about 350 km, running nearly 4,200 trips daily and carrying more than 70 lakh passengers. A study by TERI found that every passenger who chooses the metro over a car helps reduce 32.4 grams of carbon dioxide emissions per kilometre, which is important since vehicle pollution is a major factor in Delhi's poor air quality.
However, the metro is already overcrowded during peak hours. Some experts point out that adding just one luxury coach to an eight-coach train won't work if the rest of the train is packed. Even adding a ninth coach may not help if platforms are too crowded or if stations lack space for special lounges for premium passengers.
Opinions of Experts on the Idea of Luxury Coaches
Experts like Amit Bhatt say that the real challenge is improving access to metro stations. Unlike Mumbai's first-class train coaches, Delhi's problem is not the train experience but the lack of safe footpaths, organised public spaces, and smooth last-mile travel. Mobility expert Shreya Gadepalli adds that people will shift to public transport only when driving becomes more inconvenient and costly. She recommends more electric, air-conditioned buses and faster bus corridors to complement the metro. Without such improvements, people will continue using their cars.
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has not yet commented on the proposal.
