Infrastructure and engineering conglomerate Larsen & Toubro Ltd. has secured a significant order for the Noida Metro Aqua Line Extension Project from Noida Metro Rail Corporation Ltd., as announced in an exchange filing on Monday, November 9. According to reports from CNBC TV18, Business Standard, Mint, and Live Mint, this order falls within L&T's classification of ₹1,000 crore to ₹2,500 crore range, which the company terms as 'significant.' The Heavy Civil Infrastructure business vertical of L&T will handle the project's design and construction components. As a USD 32 billion Indian multinational, L&T continues to reinforce its leadership in EPC Projects and Hi-Tech Manufacturing, leveraging its customer-focused approach and commitment to quality.
The project involves partial design and construction of a 15.1 km elevated viaduct that will connect key locations in Noida. As reported by Mint and Live Mint, the line will emerge from the Botanical Garden to Noida Sector-142, and from Depot Station to Boraki. The comprehensive scope includes the construction of 10 elevated metro stations, along with architectural finishes, positioning this as a major infrastructure development for the Noida region. The project is scheduled to be completed within 36 months, as confirmed by L&T. This expansion is expected to significantly improve regional connectivity and commuter accessibility in Noida, playing a crucial role in supporting Noida's expanding urban landscape and strengthening the region's growing public transportation requirements.
The proposed elevated stations along the main extension include Botanical Garden, Noida Sector-44, Noida Office, Noida Sector-97, Noida Sector-105, Noida Sector-108, Noida Sector-93, and Panchsheel Balak Inter College. The additional 2.6-km stretch from Depot Station to the Boraki Multi-Modal Transportation Hub will have two elevated stations. According to Indian Express and Live Mint, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the 11.6-km extension of the Noida Metro Aqua Line earlier this year. Once completed, the combined metro network across Noida and Greater Noida is expected to extend beyond 61 km. The corridor will provide an interchange with the Delhi Metro's Blue Line at Noida Sector 61 and connect residential areas, IT hubs, commercial centres, educational institutions and hospitals.
The order announcement comes as NMRC continues to witness exceptional growth in passenger numbers on its existing Aqua Line network. According to Mint, the corporation recorded its highest-ever single-day ridership of 1.05 lakh passengers on October 23, with average daily passenger footfall increasing by 20% following several initiatives aimed at improving commuter convenience. These improvements include QR code-based ticketing, the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC), and enhanced connectivity through a foot overbridge (FOB). The Aqua Line currently operates between Noida Sector 51 and Depot Station in Greater Noida, with Noida Sector 51 connected to the Delhi Metro network's Blue Line at Sector 52 through a skywalk.
To accommodate rising passenger demand, NMRC has planned significant operational improvements. From November 1, the interval between trains is scheduled to be reduced from seven minutes and 30 seconds to six minutes and 35 seconds during peak hours. The corporation is also considering extending late-night metro services, with the last train from Noida Sector 51 towards Depot Station proposed to depart at 11.25 PM. However, the proposed extension of operating hours is subject to finalisation of arrangements and operational feasibility. NMRC is also consulting relevant stakeholders to improve last-mile connectivity for passengers travelling to and from metro stations, with the proposed expansion combined with operational improvements expected to strengthen the Aqua Line's role in meeting the region's growing public transportation requirements.
This latest win follows L&T's earlier success this week when its residential, commercial buildings and factories (RCF) vertical secured multiple orders worth up to ₹2,500 crore. According to CNBC TV18 and Business Standard, these orders covered the construction of two residential developments in Mumbai and Bengaluru, as well as a commercial development in Hyderabad. The company's diversified order book demonstrates strong market demand across multiple infrastructure segments. Following the order announcement, L&T shares demonstrated positive market response, gaining 0.77% to ₹4,141.7 on the National Stock Exchange as of 12:18 PM on Monday, November 9. According to CNBC TV18, the stock has shown strong momentum with 11.5% gains over the last month and has been positive in seven out of the last 10 trading sessions.
The announcement coincides with significant infrastructure developments in the Noida region, as the Union Cabinet cleared an 8.449-km extension of the Aqua Line from Noida Sector 51 to Greater Noida Sector 4 (Gaur Chowk) at an estimated investment of ₹2,390 crore. According to Live Mint, this approved stretch will feature five elevated stations including an interchange with the Delhi Metro Blue Line at Noida Sector 61. Separately, NMRC confirmed work is underway on two other proposed extensions - the 11.56-km corridor between Botanical Garden and Noida Sector 142 with eight stations, and a 2.60-km extension connecting Depot station with the Boraki Multi-Modal Transport Hub comprising two stations. The corporation also received the Special Award for Innovation in Optimisation of Civil Structural Design at the 19th Urban Mobility India Conference and Exhibition in Bhubaneswar, recognizing its efforts in adopting innovative engineering techniques and optimising civil structures in metro infrastructure development.
