The Supreme Court of India has granted clearance to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for the commencement of Phase-IV construction, provided it adheres strictly to ecological safeguards outlined by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC). The Court’s nod comes amid environmental concerns over the Metro corridor’s route passing through the sensitive Aravalli Ridge.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for DMRC, informed the court that the Corporation would “strictly abide” by all 10 conditions recommended by the CEC. The two corridors under this Phase - Inderlok to Indraprastha and Lajpat Nagar to Saket G Block, will pass through 28,685 sq. mtrs. of the Aravalli morphological ridge, a rocky terrain that plays a vital ecological role for Delhi and is protected under multiple court rulings.

According to the CEC’s 25 April report, the first corridor will affect 20,915 sq. mtrs. and lead to the felling of 122 trees, while the revised second corridor will disturb 7,770 sq. mtrs. and require the removal of only six trees. The CEC has instructed DMRC to comply with the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, including seeking prior permission for tree removal, planting 1,280 native trees as compensation, relocating affected trees under expert supervision, and depositing 5 percent of the project cost with the Ridge Management Board (RMB).

DMRC has now committed to completing the centre by April 2026. Phase 4 was approved by the Union Cabinet in March 2024 and is slated for commissioning by 2029. Civil construction is expected to commence immediately.