Metro Update
Noida Metro Aqua Line Peak Trains to Run Every 6 Minutes 35 Seconds From 1 November
The Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) will shorten the peak-hour gap between Aqua Line trains from 7 minutes 30 seconds to 6 minutes 35 seconds from 1 November 2026. The change follows a record day of 1,05,358 passengers on 23 October 2026.
| Change announced | Peak-hour gap between trains cut from 7 min 30 sec to 6 min 35 sec (55 seconds shorter per interval) |
|---|---|
| Start date | 1 November 2026, as stated in NMRC's statement dated 24 October 2026 |
| Record ridership day | 1,05,358 passengers on 23 October 2026, the highest daily figure recorded on the Aqua Line since NMRC began operations |
| Average daily ridership | Up 20 per cent, according to NMRC |
| Proposed late-night last departure | 11:25 pm from Sector 51 towards Depot Station, under consideration, no confirmed start date |
| Route | 21 elevated stations over 29.7 km, from Sector 51 in Noida to Depot in Greater Noida |
| Fleet on the corridor | 13 trains running with one reserved, each carrying up to 1,322 passengers |
| Opened to the public | January 2019 |
What NMRC has announced
NMRC plans to reduce the scheduled gap between peak-hour trains on the Aqua Line from 7 minutes 30 seconds to 6 minutes 35 seconds. The cut is 55 seconds per peak interval. The corporation's statement, dated 24 October 2026, describes the change as a planned operational change made to respond to rising demand.
NMRC says the shorter gap is meant to raise carrying capacity in the periods when demand is highest. The statement does not give a count of the extra train services that will run under the revised frequency.
Record ridership and what NMRC credits
The Aqua Line carried 1,05,358 passengers on 23 October 2026. NMRC describes this as the highest single-day ridership recorded on the line since it began operations.
In the same 24 October statement, NMRC said average daily ridership had risen by 20 per cent. It linked the increase to several passenger-service initiatives, including:
- QR-code-based ticketing
- Implementation of the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC)
- Improved connectivity through a foot overbridge
NMRC also said it is consulting relevant stakeholders on last-mile connectivity for metro commuters.
Earlier milestones on the line were 50,231 passengers on 17 October 2022, the first day the line crossed 50,000, and 52,696 passengers on 30 November 2022.
Published estimates of average daily ridership differ. One report gives 66,333 commuters a day for September 2026. Another gives a range of 85,000 to 97,000 a day.
Current timetable and fleet
Under the current schedule, reported in the press ahead of the change:
- Monday to Friday: every 7.5 minutes in peak hours and every 15 minutes off-peak
- Saturday: every 10 minutes throughout the day
- Sunday: every 15 minutes throughout the day
Services currently begin at 6:00 am daily, and the last train leaves Noida at 10:00 pm. One report counts 13 trains running on the corridor, with one reserved, each carrying up to 1,322 passengers.
Late-night service under consideration
NMRC is considering pushing the last departure from Sector 51 towards Depot Station to 11:25 pm. The change depends on completing the necessary arrangements and on an assessment of operational feasibility. No start date has been confirmed.
Until NMRC confirms the new time, commuters should not treat 11:25 pm as the last departure.
What it means for commuters, buyers and investors
For daily commuters, the immediate change is a shorter wait during peak hours from 1 November 2026. The announcement changes service frequency on the existing line. It does not add stations or change the route.
For buyers and investors, the line's ridership growth and the planned corridor extensions are the relevant facts. Those extensions are still at the planning stage and have no dates attached, so they should be weighed as future possibilities rather than settled capacity.
Network, interchange and planned corridors
The Aqua Line has 21 stations on a 29.7 km route from Sector 51 in Noida to Depot in Greater Noida. All stations are elevated. At Sector 52, the line connects to the Delhi Metro Blue Line through a pedestrian walkway, so passengers must exit one system before boarding the other.
Several extensions are in planning. Metro reports describe the following corridors, with no dates given:
- Depot to Boraki, 2.6 km
- Botanical Garden to Sector 142, 11.56 km
- Sector 51 to Greater Noida West Sector 4, 8.4 km, under consideration
Separately, the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority approved a 15 km Phase 2 extension on 4 December 2018. It would run from Noida Sector 71 to Knowledge Park 5 in Greater Noida, with nine stations and an estimated cost of ₹2,602 crore.
Background on the operator
NMRC is a company incorporated under the Companies Act 2013, with its registered office at Block-III, 3rd Floor, Ganga Shopping Complex, Sector-29, Noida 201301. It operates the Aqua Line, which opened to the public in January 2019 and was inaugurated by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Officials put the build cost at ₹5,503 crore.
What happens next
- From 1 November 2026, peak-hour trains are scheduled every 6 minutes 35 seconds, as NMRC has stated.
- The 11:25 pm late-night last departure has no confirmed start date. It depends on completing arrangements and on a feasibility assessment.
- The Sector 51 to Greater Noida West and other corridor extensions are at the planning stage, with no approval date.
Frequently asked questions
When does the new peak-hour frequency start?
NMRC has stated that the revised peak-hour frequency will start on 1 November 2026.
How much shorter is the peak-hour wait?
The gap between peak-hour trains falls from 7 minutes 30 seconds to 6 minutes 35 seconds, a reduction of 55 seconds per interval.
Is the 11:25 pm last train confirmed?
No. NMRC is considering extending late-night services so the last train from Sector 51 towards Depot Station leaves at 11:25 pm. The change depends on arrangements and feasibility, and no start date has been confirmed.
Does the Aqua Line connect to the Delhi Metro?
Yes, at Sector 52, where the Aqua Line is linked to the Delhi Metro Blue Line through a pedestrian walkway. Passengers must exit one system before entering the other.
How many extra trains will run after the change?
NMRC's statement does not give a count of additional services. The corridor currently has 13 trains, with one reserved.