The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will lend $520m for a 47km expansion of Delhi’s metro

The money will fund extensions of lines 1 and 5, and the development of Line 11.

The extensions will have 39 stations, 29 above ground, nine underground and one at grade. A metro depot will also be built and 178 cars purchased.

The project will improve power, signalling and communication systems and will introduce an automatic fare collection method.

Money will also go towards consulting services for design, construction supervision and technology.

Takeuchi Takuro, JICA India’s chief representative, said: “The rapid increase in urbanisation and vehicle ownership in Delhi has led to severe traffic congestion and environmental challenges.

“The expansion of the Delhi Metro network is a critical step toward addressing these issues by providing a reliable, efficient and eco-friendly mass-transit solution.”

JICA says the investment brings the organisation’s total spend on the Delhi Metro to $2bn, having previously supported phases one, two, three and four.