Delhi may need to scale up its Metro network to more than twice its current operational length to effectively curb vehicular pollution and encourage the use of public transport. This recommendation was recently shared by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) at a key meeting on air pollution control in the Capital with the Centre where Beijing, where the Metro network has an approximate operation length of 900 km, was cited as an example, The Indian Express has learnt.The Metro network in the Capital is currently spread across 462.7 km, of which 352.16 km is operational while construction is ongoing in the remaining 110.6 km. It has a total of 12 lines and 289 stations, which also includes neighbouring cities like Ghaziabad, Noida, Gurgaon and Faridabad. On the other hand, Beijing has a total of 879 km-long metro network with 27 lines and 420 stations, according to an official document.It has been recommended that the Delhi Metro, which currently serves 6.5 to 7 million passengers daily on average, can scale the network to 20-30 lines with 450-500 stations.The meeting, officials said, was focused on boosting electric vehicle mobility and improving the public transport system to curb vehicular pollution in the Capital, which is said to be one of the top contributors of air pollution.As per the CAQM recommendations, there is a need for strengthening the last mile connectivity in the city. The watchdog underlined that the Capital needs an integrated transport plan. “The suggestion to scale up the existing metro network was made to the DMRC because the public transportation in the city needs a massive boost,” a senior CAQM official said.According to officials, a significant reduction in particulate matter (PM) pollution can be achieved in the coming three years by focusing on key aspects such as road dust, construction, traffic decongestion, public transportation overhaul, and industrial emissions.However, a senior Delhi Metro official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “It is a very ambitious proposal. The first question before going ahead with the suggestions will be — does Delhi have enough space to expand the network to 900 km? The city already has a Metro network of close to 500 km. Even after the completion of Phase IV and under Phase V-A and V-B, it can be expanded up to 600 km…”Story continues below this adThe Delhi Metro’s existing network is being expanded by 110 km under Phase IV and 96 km and under Phases V-A and V-B. With the completion of Phase IV, daily ridership is expected to double. Additionally, the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) network, under which the NCR is getting Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), will be expanded to a total length of 323 km over the next four years, said officials.The official added, “It will take years to add 300 km and huge funds…. But, with the expansion of the Rapid Metro network under NCRTC, the public network system in Delhi-NCR will be strengthened further in the future. Once the NCR cities are well connected with Delhi, more people may switch from private vehicles to public transport.”What experts highlightA 2018 report by The Energy Resources Institute (TERI) and The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) highlighted that selected interventions, including electrified public transportation systems, could cut down PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by winter in 2030 by 9% and 7%, respectively. Among different vehicle categories, trucks were found to be the most polluting, followed by two-wheelers, according to the same report, in terms of PM10 contribution during summer. The same report also underlined that several construction activities due to Metro-related on-site works have contributed significantly to PM10 levels during summer.Environmentalists, however, told The Indian Express that augmentation of Metro services is possible even within the existing network. “The emphasis should be on increasing last-mile connectivity, which should be done by improving feeder services. EV buses are the lifeline of the city. The streets need to be walkable, accessible, with cycling tracks wherever possible, and only then should metro expansion be prioritised,” said an environmentalist.Story continues below this adSpeaking to The Indian Express, Dr Nitish Dogra, a public health physician and a Fulbright fellow, said, “Globally, case studies from New York, Australia, European countries, and evidence from India have shown that there is a direct correlation in health benefits and metro network expansion with a reduction in personal air pollution exposure and increased physical activity because people take more steps for their commute.”A recent study published in Discover Atmosphere, co-authored by Dogra, titled ‘An evaluation of commuter’s perception of exposure to air pollution on a segment of Delhi Metro’s Magenta line’ noted that wait time was found to be a significant factor in deciding the mode of transport. “The commuters who waited less than or equal to 10 min were less likely to choose a bus over the metro,” it noted.On Friday, following a high-level meeting between CM Rekha Gupta and key officials, the CMO said the BJP government has plans to increase its total bus fleet in the city to 6,000 by the end of this year and 7,500 December 2027, 10,400 by March 2028 and 14,000 by March 2029. Of the planned 14,000 buses, 500 will be 7-metre-long buses to strengthen last-mile connectivity.