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'''Delhi Suburban Railway''' is a [[Commuter rail|suburban rail]] service operated by [[Northern Railway Zone (India)|Northern Railway]] for the [[National Capital Region (India)|National Capital Region]] (NCR). This railway service covers [[Delhi]], along with the adjoining districts of [[Gurgaon district|Gurgaon]], [[Faridabad district|Faridabad]], [[Ghaziabad district, India|Ghaziabad]], [[Sonipat]] and other adjoining places in [[Haryana]] and [[Uttar Pradesh]]. These services are mostly run using [[Electric multiple unit|EMU]] and [[MEMU]] rakes. This also includes passenger trains and [[Diesel multiple unit|DMU]] services up to [[Rewari]] in Haryana, a part of the NCR. Presently there are [[List of railway stations in Delhi|46 railway stations]] in [[Delhi]].
'''Delhi Suburban Railway''' is a [[Commuter rail|suburban rail]] service operated by [[Northern Railway Zone (India)|Northern Railway]] for the [[National Capital Region (India)|National Capital Region]] (NCR). Railway ministry's 2018 plan envisages renovation and integration of Delhi Suburban Railway with [[Delhi Metro]], [[National Capital Region (India)#Delhi Meerut RRTS|NCR RRTS]], and [[Inter-State Bus Terminals#Delhi|ISBT Bus]] network through creation of interchanges by building footbridges and tunnels.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/decongesting-delhi-mega-plan-to-link-capital-s-ring-rail-metro-network/story-Lf0h4yaFYj1jOUQtERYDgI.html|title=Delhi's mega plan to link capital ring rail metro network|publisher=Hindustan Times}}</ref>


According to the railway ministry, plans are under way to renovate and integrate the network with the [[Delhi Metro]] through construction of interchanges with metro stations. The project is aimed to reduce congestion in the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/decongesting-delhi-mega-plan-to-link-capital-s-ring-rail-metro-network/story-Lf0h4yaFYj1jOUQtERYDgI.html|title=Delhi's mega plan to link capital ring rail metro network|publisher=Hindustan Times}}</ref>
==History==
 
In 1975, the Delhi Suburban Railway began with Delhi Ring Railway suburban service.
 
In 2009, Ladies Special trains were introduced between New Delhi and Palwal and from New Delhi to Ghaziabad and [[Panipat]].<ref name=rake1/>


== Services ==
== Services ==
Delhi Suburban Railway uses the same tracks that are also used for long distance trains. In 2009 Ladies Special trains were introduced between New Delhi and Palwal and from New Delhi to Ghaziabad and [[Panipat]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/Delhiites+can+ride+a+new+train+to+Bengal+this+puja/1/59243.html|title=Delhiites can ride a new train to Bengal this puja|date=31 August 2009|access-date=1 September 2014}}</ref>


At present, EMUs in Delhi run with 12 coaches, of which ten are general compartments and two are ladies compartment. As per the Northern Railway estimates, there are more than 110 suburban trains, which ply on important sections.
===Tracks===
 
Delhi Suburban Railway services uses the same tracks that are also used for long-distance trains.<ref name=rake1>{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/mail-today/story/delhiites-can-ride-a-new-train-to-bengal-this-puja-55445-2009-08-30|title=Delhiites can ride a new train to Bengal this puja|date=31 August 2009|access-date=1 September 2014}}</ref>
 
===Rolling stock===
 
Delhi Suburban Railway services are mostly run using [[Electric multiple unit|EMU]] and [[MEMU]] rakes. EMUs in Delhi run with 12 coaches, of which ten are general compartments and two are ladies' compartment. Delhi Suburban Railway services, cover all of [[List of railway stations in Delhi|46 railway stations]] within [[Delhi]] and many more in the NCR.
 
===Network===
 
The Delhi Suburban network runs more than 110 suburban trains daily on the following network:
 
* Ring services
** [[Delhi Ring Railway]] within inner Delhi: 35&nbsp;km loop along [[Inner Ring Road, Delhi|Delhi's Inner Ring Road]] runs services in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions during peak hours.<ref name=nrt1/>
** [[Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor]] (HORC), 122&nbsp;km long semi-circle within Haryana, available once construction is complete.
** [[Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor#EORC|Eastern Orbital Rail Corridor]] (EORC), 90&nbsp;km long semi-circle within Uttar Pradesh will connect to Haryana's HORC thus completing rig around Delhi, available once construction is complete.
* Spokes services in NCR: radials routes connecting the national capital with its surrounding satellite towns.<ref name=nrt1/>
** [[Railway in Haryana|Haryana]] state:
*** New Delhi-[[Sonipat]]-[[Panipat]] to the north.<ref name=rake1/>
*** New Delhi-[[Bahadurgarh]]-[[Rohtak]] to the west.<ref name=rake1/> Demands to extend it to [[Hisar Junction railway station|Hisar]], the nearest [[National Capital Region (India)#Counter magnets|Counter Magnet City in NCR]], via direct Rohtak-[[Hansi]]-Hisar line, have been ignored so far.
*** New Delhi-[[Gurgaon district|Gurgaon]]-[[Rewari]]-[[Bhiwani]]-[[Bawani Khera]]-Hansi-Hisar to the southwest and west.
*** New Delhi-[[Faridabad]]-[[Palwal]]-[[Hodal]]-[[Mathura]] to the south.<ref name=rake1/>
** [[Transport in Uttar Pradesh|Uttar Pradesh]] state:
*** New Delhi-[[Baghpat]]-[[Baraut]]-[[Shamli]]-[[Saharanpur]] to the north.<ref name=rake1/>
*** New Delhi-[[Ghaziabad]] to the east.<ref name=rake1/>
*** New Delhi-[[Bulandshahr]]-[[Khurja]]-[[Aligarh]] to the southeast.
*** New Delhi-[[Kosi Kalan]]-[[Mathura]] to the south,<ref name=rake1/> via Haryana (Faridabad, Palwal, Hodal).
 
===Timings and fares===
 
Fares are very affordable, and much lower compared to a comparable journey on the Delhi Metro. Timetables are subject to change, and the service can be affected by the movement of long-distance trains. Generally, the local trains run throughout the day at varying frequencies.<ref name=nrt1>[https://metrorailnews.in/the-commuter-rail-system-for-delhi-ncr The Commuter Rail System For Delhi], metrorailnews.in, 1 March 2023.</ref>
 
== Issues ==
 
Despite its potential, the network's underutilisation is attributed to a number of factors, including a lack of dedicated tracks, security issues at stations (snatching and theft), and poor last-mile connectivity.<ref name=nrt1/> Since [[Delhi Metro]] is growing at a rapid pace, thus far there has been very little focus to improve the Delhi Suburban Railway though feasibility studies have been done for strengthening the Delhi Suburban Railway services and to create the integrated rail-metro-bus transit (IRMBT) system to connect Delhi with the satellite towns of NCR.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQQ/is_2_44/ai_113853175 |title= IRBT system to connect the Indian capital, Delhi | work=International Railway Journal | year=2004}}</ref> 2025 research reports poor (45% satisfaction) customer satisfaction rating by the commuters for the Delhi Suburban Railway.<ref>Rahul Raoniar, Mohan Rao, and Velmurugan Senathipathi, December 2015, [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305966200_Performance_Analysis_of_Sub_Urban_Rail_System_in_Delhi_-A_Case_Study Performance Analysis of Sub Urban Rail System in Delhi -A Case Study], 3rd CTRG, Central Road Research Institute of India.</ref> The 2004 feasibility study recommended the dedicated dual track for the Delhi Suburban Railway. However, no action has been taken as of 2025. With poor service and no dedicated rack, Delhi Suburban Railway - the lifeline for poor working class commuters, has only 0.50% share in the overall public transport ridership in 2025 in Delhi, remaining 99.50% commuters are forced to use other more expensive modes of transport.<ref>Why is Delhi's Local train system so bad?, 2025 video newsreport by The Hindu, watch from 10.25 (see external links).</ref>


== Future development ==
== Gallery ==
With [[Delhi Metro]] growing at a rapid pace, there has been very little focus to improve the condition of the Delhi Suburban Railway. There have been reports of strengthening the services so that more commuters can avail themselves of the facility. Feasibility studies have also been done, and in deference to the commuter demand, there were also plans to start EMU services from [[Gurgaon]]{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}}. An integrated rail-bus transit (IRBT) system to connect Delhi with the satellite towns of Gurgaon, [[Ghaziabad, India|Ghaziabad]], and [[Sahibabad]] is being promoted by the government.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQQ/is_2_44/ai_113853175 |title= IRBT system to connect the Indian capital, Delhi | work=International Railway Journal | year=2004}}</ref>
A feasibility study has already been completed, and a steering committee has been appointed to monitor the project. The IRBT will have two dedicated tracks.


== Fleet gallery ==
<Gallery>
<Gallery>
Image:Delhi_emu_01.JPG
Delhi emu and memu.JPG|EMU (green and yellow) and MEMU (blue, red and yellow) train of Delhi suburban railway.
Image:Delhi_emu_02.JPG
 
Image:Delhi_emu_03.JPG
Delhi_emu_01.JPG|EMU ladies special train of Delhi suburban railway.
Image:Delhi_emu_04.JPG
 
Image:Delhi_emu_09.JPG
Delhi_emu_08.JPG|EMU train on Delhi Ring Railway of Delhi suburban railway.
Image:Delhi_emu_05.JPG
 
Image:Delhi_emu_06.JPG
Delhi_memu_02.JPG|EMU train to Panipat of Delhi suburban railway.
Image:Delhi_emu_07.JPG
 
Image:Delhi_emu_08.JPG
Delhi_emu_02.JPG|EMU train to Mathura of Delhi suburban railway.
Image:Delhi_memu_01.JPG
 
Image:Delhi_memu_02.JPG
Delhi_emu_03.JPG|EMU train to Aligarh of Delhi suburban railway.
Image:Delhi emu and memu.JPG
 
Delhi_emu_06.JPG|EMU train to Ghaziabad and Kosi Kala of Delhi suburban railway.
 
Delhi_emu_07.JPG|EMU train to Palwal of Delhi suburban railway.
 
</Gallery>
</Gallery>


== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[Transport in Delhi]]
* [[Urban rail transit in India]]
* [[Urban rail transit in India]]
* [[List of railway stations in Delhi]]
* [[List of railway stations in Delhi]]
Line 69: Line 109:


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121024215646/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-04-06/delhi/28335011_1_emus-metro-stations-long-distance-trains Dedicated tracks to run EMU]
 
* [http://indiarailinfo.com/trains/delhiemu Delhi ring railway timetable]
* [http://indiarailinfo.com/trains/delhiemu Delhi ring railway timetable].
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxNDBnI6yq0 Why is Delhi's Local train system so bad?], 2025 analysis by [[The Hindu]] newspaper.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121024215646/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-04-06/delhi/28335011_1_emus-metro-stations-long-distance-trains 2004 unrealised plan for dedicated tracks for running EMU].


{{Suburban railways in India}}
{{Suburban railways in India}}

Latest revision as of 11:22, 25 November 2025


Delhi Suburban Railway
Overview
OwnerIndian Railways
LocaleNational Capital Region, India
Transit typeSuburban Rail
Number of stations46
Operation
Operator(s)Northern Railway
Technical
Track gauge5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) Indian gauge
System map

Delhi Suburban Railway is a suburban rail service operated by Northern Railway for the National Capital Region (NCR). Railway ministry's 2018 plan envisages renovation and integration of Delhi Suburban Railway with Delhi Metro, NCR RRTS, and ISBT Bus network through creation of interchanges by building footbridges and tunnels.[1]

History[edit | edit source]

In 1975, the Delhi Suburban Railway began with Delhi Ring Railway suburban service.

In 2009, Ladies Special trains were introduced between New Delhi and Palwal and from New Delhi to Ghaziabad and Panipat.[2]

Services[edit | edit source]

Tracks[edit | edit source]

Delhi Suburban Railway services uses the same tracks that are also used for long-distance trains.[2]

Rolling stock[edit | edit source]

Delhi Suburban Railway services are mostly run using EMU and MEMU rakes. EMUs in Delhi run with 12 coaches, of which ten are general compartments and two are ladies' compartment. Delhi Suburban Railway services, cover all of 46 railway stations within Delhi and many more in the NCR.

Network[edit | edit source]

The Delhi Suburban network runs more than 110 suburban trains daily on the following network:

Timings and fares[edit | edit source]

Fares are very affordable, and much lower compared to a comparable journey on the Delhi Metro. Timetables are subject to change, and the service can be affected by the movement of long-distance trains. Generally, the local trains run throughout the day at varying frequencies.[3]

Issues[edit | edit source]

Despite its potential, the network's underutilisation is attributed to a number of factors, including a lack of dedicated tracks, security issues at stations (snatching and theft), and poor last-mile connectivity.[3] Since Delhi Metro is growing at a rapid pace, thus far there has been very little focus to improve the Delhi Suburban Railway though feasibility studies have been done for strengthening the Delhi Suburban Railway services and to create the integrated rail-metro-bus transit (IRMBT) system to connect Delhi with the satellite towns of NCR.[4] 2025 research reports poor (45% satisfaction) customer satisfaction rating by the commuters for the Delhi Suburban Railway.[5] The 2004 feasibility study recommended the dedicated dual track for the Delhi Suburban Railway. However, no action has been taken as of 2025. With poor service and no dedicated rack, Delhi Suburban Railway - the lifeline for poor working class commuters, has only 0.50% share in the overall public transport ridership in 2025 in Delhi, remaining 99.50% commuters are forced to use other more expensive modes of transport.[6]

Gallery[edit | edit source]

  • EMU (green and yellow) and MEMU (blue, red and yellow) train of Delhi suburban railway.
    EMU (green and yellow) and MEMU (blue, red and yellow) train of Delhi suburban railway.
  • EMU ladies special train of Delhi suburban railway.
    EMU ladies special train of Delhi suburban railway.
  • EMU train on Delhi Ring Railway of Delhi suburban railway.
    EMU train on Delhi Ring Railway of Delhi suburban railway.
  • EMU train to Panipat of Delhi suburban railway.
    EMU train to Panipat of Delhi suburban railway.
  • EMU train to Mathura of Delhi suburban railway.
    EMU train to Mathura of Delhi suburban railway.
  • EMU train to Aligarh of Delhi suburban railway.
    EMU train to Aligarh of Delhi suburban railway.
  • EMU train to Ghaziabad and Kosi Kala of Delhi suburban railway.
    EMU train to Ghaziabad and Kosi Kala of Delhi suburban railway.
  • EMU train to Palwal of Delhi suburban railway.
    EMU train to Palwal of Delhi suburban railway.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Delhi's mega plan to link capital ring rail metro network". Hindustan Times.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 "Delhiites can ride a new train to Bengal this puja". 31 August 2009. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 The Commuter Rail System For Delhi, metrorailnews.in, 1 March 2023.
  4. ↑ "IRBT system to connect the Indian capital, Delhi". International Railway Journal. 2004.
  5. ↑ Rahul Raoniar, Mohan Rao, and Velmurugan Senathipathi, December 2015, Performance Analysis of Sub Urban Rail System in Delhi -A Case Study, 3rd CTRG, Central Road Research Institute of India.
  6. ↑ Why is Delhi's Local train system so bad?, 2025 video newsreport by The Hindu, watch from 10.25 (see external links).

External links[edit | edit source]

Template:Suburban railways in India

Template:Greater Delhi transit

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