Noida: The Aqua Line of the Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC), which connects Sector 51 in Noida to Depot Station in Greater Noida, recorded an approximate 442% rise in daily ridership since its inauguration — from 11,625 commuters when the service was opened on Jan 25, 2019, to an average daily ridership of 63,079 in Jan 2026. Spanning 29 km, the Aqua Line has 21 stations and acts as an essential mode of transport for workers employed in corporate offices and residential sectors in the area. Although the service failed to find traction immediately after its inauguration, data has shown average ridership increased to 17,032 by March 2020. When services resumed in Sept 2020 after the Covid pandemic, ridership showed a steady rise since then. This upward trend continued in 2022, when the peak figure rose significantly — to 43,430 — in Nov.The Aqua Line recorded its highest-ever monthly ridership in Sept 2025, with the average daily commuters standing at 74,370. The spike was likely due to the UP International Trade Show held in the city during the same period.Meanwhile, connectivity between the Sector 51 and Sector 52 stations remains a concern for residents. The Noida Authority is developing a skywalk to connect the stations. The project, which has missed several deadlines including one on Feb 1, has been slowed down because of a pillar near its entrance at the Sector 52 station. An official said they are working on removing the pillar but did not issue a revised deadline for the inauguration.NMRC is also planning three extension corridors — from Sector 51 to Knowledge Park V, from Sector 51 to Sector 142, and from Depot Station to Boraki. While the detailed project reports of the first two projects are pending approval from the Centre, the Depot Station to Boraki extension was recently approved and tenders will be issued soon for development of the corridor.
