Delhi Metro responds to the rush following the Puja accident with 40 exclusive additional trips and early services, opening the way for smooth travel and clean air for passengers

Published October 31, 2025

Delhi Metro has introduced an exclusive scheme of 40 additional trips on weekdays after launching Chhath Puja for peak journeys and services during early commuting from important stations. This specifically targets easier and less stressful travel for travelers returning home while also combating vehicle emissions. Longer opening hours and more frequent services are intended to persuade more people to use public transportation, thus reducing traffic congestion throughout the National Capital Region. Delhi Metro aims to improve air quality and meet the pressing demand for eco-friendly, efficient and safe urban transport.

As Delhi gears up to manage the post-Chhath Puja rush and combat persistent pollution challenges, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has announced major changes in its metro services. The updates, which aim to facilitate travel for thousands of passengers and contribute to air quality monitoring, will be implemented for a limited period, starting from October 30, 2025, and continuing until November 3, 2025.

Early metro services for Chhath Puja passengers

In response to the expected influx of passengers returning to Delhi-NCR after the Chhath Puja festival, DMRC will start metro services earlier than usual. Metro trains will start running at 5:15 am from selected stations, making it easier for passengers to return to the city after religious ceremonies.

Stations serving early passengers include New Delhi Metro Station, located on the Yellow Line, and Anand Vihar ISBT Metro Station, which connects to both the Blue and Pink Lines. By offering this early service, DMRC aims to ensure smoother travel for festival goers and help ease congestion during peak hours.

40 additional metro trips to reduce air pollution

Delhi still faces significant challenges related to air pollution, especially during seasonal events such as festivals. To address this issue, DMRC has taken a proactive step of operating 40 additional metro trips during weekdays. These additional services aim to reduce the number of private vehicles on the road, which contribute significantly to pollution levels in the city.

Increasing the frequency of metro services would provide passengers with more options to travel comfortably while encouraging the use of public transportation, which is considered more environmentally friendly compared to private vehicles. This initiative is expected to help alleviate the ongoing pollution crisis in Delhi and contribute to improving the air quality in the city.

Dust control measures and anti-smog guns in construction areas

To further support efforts to reduce pollution, DMRC has implemented multiple dust control measures across its ongoing projects. This includes strategically spraying water to reduce dust at construction sites and ensure proper disposal of waste materials. In addition, vehicle wheels are washed before leaving the project areas to prevent the spread of dirt onto the city streets.

Moreover, DMRC has deployed anti-smog cannons at active construction sites as part of the company’s long-term environmental initiatives. These machines have been in operation even before it became mandatory and are now deployed at 82 different locations across Delhi project sites. These measures play a crucial role in reducing airborne pollutants during construction activities, which often contribute significantly to poor air quality in the city.

Long term environmental efforts by DMRC

DMRC’s commitment to sustainable development goes beyond immediate measures. The company has undertaken several long-term environmental initiatives, including efforts to restore water bodies in Delhi. One notable project was the restoration of Roshanara Bagh Lake, where dewatered water from the construction of Phase 4 MRT stations at Ghanta Ghar and Pul Bangash was redirected to the lake through a pipeline. This initiative played a crucial role in reviving the lake and improving the local environment.

Enhancing public transportation to promote sustainable travel

The amendments to the Metro service schedule and increase in trips reflect DMRC’s ongoing efforts to encourage the use of public transport as a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to private vehicles. With growing concerns over air pollution in the National Capital Region, Delhi Metro remains at the forefront of efforts to reduce carbon emissions and improve overall air quality in the city.

Public transportation, especially metro services, is considered one of the most effective ways to reduce traffic congestion and enhance environmental sustainability. The increase in metro services, coupled with DMRC’s dedication to combating pollution at construction sites, highlights the corporation’s commitment to creating a cleaner and more efficient transportation system for the city.

Bottom line: a step towards cleaner, smoother travel

With these new measures in place, Delhi Metro is playing a crucial role in ensuring that the city is able to manage the post-festival rush while making strides in improving air quality. As services resume early and more flights are added, both residents and the environment will benefit. The changes reflect DMRC’s ongoing efforts to provide efficient, sustainable and environment-friendly transportation solutions to Delhi’s growing urban population.

To accommodate the post-Chath Puja crowds, the Delhi Metro has started early services for the day, along with forty exclusive additional trips as pollution levels are expected to be higher during the Chath Puja and post-Chath Puja period, making travel easier and cleaning the air for commuters.

These changes in Metro services provide residents returning to Delhi after Chhath Puja holidays and visitors whose journeys coincide with the celebrations an economically viable and eco-friendly transport option, ensuring less wastage of the road network and less environmental congestion. Although these changes are temporary, they provide insight into the growing use of public transportation coupled with an efficient road network, which could help alleviate the city’s pollution problems.