Delhi Metro refresh plan

Delhi Metro is overhauling 70 of its oldest trains on the Red and Blue lines, with the work scheduled to finish by November 2027. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation said the trains being refurbished were introduced between 2002 and 2007 and have been running for about 19 to 24 years. The work is being done in phases, and 12 trains have already been upgraded. (indianexpress.com) On the Blue Line, the refit includes new fire detection systems, closed-circuit television cameras, upgraded public-address systems, route-map displays, real-time passenger information screens and mobile charging points inside coaches. (hindustantimes.com) The Red Line opened on December 24, 2002, and the Blue Line’s main corridor opened on December 31, 2005, making them part of Delhi Metro’s earliest build-out. The current work is a mid-life refurbishment, the rail equivalent of replacing core systems and interiors before an older fleet is retired. (indianexpress.com) (jagranjosh.com) (en.wikipedia.org) Delhi Metro is also carrying more riders than before the pandemic. Its 2024-25 annual report says the system handled 235 crore passenger journeys in 2025 and recorded average daily ridership of 64.6 lakh, putting pressure on older rolling stock to stay reliable and safe. (backend.delhimetrorail.com) The corporation has framed the train overhaul as a way to bring older rolling stock up to current standards rather than replace the fleet outright. That approach lets it keep trains in service while upgrading braking, propulsion, passenger information and safety equipment in batches. (indianexpress.com) (moneycontrol.com) For riders, the visible changes will be inside the coaches: clearer announcements, live route information, charging points and added surveillance. For Delhi Metro, the deadline is November 2027, when the oldest trains on two of its earliest lines are supposed to look and operate much closer to newer ones. (hindustantimes.com) (indianexpress.com)