In the vast network of the Delhi Metro, Kashmere Gate Metro Station holds a prestigious and unmatched place. Not only is it one of the earliest stations to open on the network, but it also stands today as the busiest and most complex interchange station in India — a critical pivot point connecting multiple corridors and serving hundreds of thousands of commuters every day.
A Historic and Strategic Location
Located at Lothian Road in Old Delhi, Kashmere Gate lies adjacent to the historic Kashmiri Gate — an old city gate that was part of the 16th-century city walls of Shahjahanabad, Delhi’s original walled city. The very name evokes centuries of history and civic significance, marking a gateway not just to parts of the city, but to its layered past.
Today, the metro station has become more than just a transit point; it’s a dynamic urban node that seamlessly blends heritage with modern infrastructure. The station also sits close to the Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) Kashmere Gate, further enhancing its role as a multimodal transport hub.
Triple Interchange: Unique and Unmatched
What sets Kashmere Gate Metro Station apart from nearly all other metro stations in India is its three-line interchange capability — connecting:
- Red Line (Dilshad Garden to Rithala)
- Yellow Line (Samaypur Badli to HUDA City Centre)
- Violet Line (extending to Faridabad’s Escorts Mujesar area)
This connectivity makes it the only metro station in India where three major corridors intersect, allowing passengers to switch between lines without exiting the system — an engineering and logistical achievement unmatched in the country.
Spatially distinct levels characterize the station:
- The Red Line operates on an elevated platform,
- The Yellow Line lies deep underground, and
- The Violet Line runs on a parallel underground level.
This vertical stacking of platforms not only optimizes land use in a crowded urban fabric but also facilitates swift and efficient movement of people across lines during peak hours.
Busy Beyond Measure: A Metro Powerhouse
At the peak of its usage, Kashmere Gate recorded daily passenger footfalls exceeding around 2.7 – 2.8 lakh commuters, making it one of the busiest metro stations in the network and indeed across the country.
This extraordinary volume is attributed to several factors:
- Interchange traffic between three major lines
- Linkages to bus services, nearby commercial complexes, offices, and educational institutions
- Proximity to Old Delhi’s dense residential pockets and markets
- Accessibility to National Capital Region (NCR) commuters from neighboring suburbs.
Even with the expansion of newer interchange stations and changing commuter patterns, Kashmere Gate retains its critical importance because of the unique connectivity it offers between major metro corridors.
Design, Infrastructure and Passenger Facilities
Architectural and Structural Highlights
The design of Kashmere Gate Metro Station reflects both complexity and foresight:
- Multiple levels and platforms interconnected through escalators, staircases, and lifts
- Seamless transitions between lines with dedicated interchange pathways
- Wide concourses designed to handle massive passenger flows efficiently
- Integration with surface transport options and pedestrian access routes.
Record-Setting Escalators and Accessibility
The station is also noteworthy for its internal mobility infrastructure. It boasts a very high number of escalators — one of the largest tallies in any metro station in the country — facilitating movement between levels with minimal congestion. Additional escalators have been added over time to improve commuter comfort and circulation.
Accessibility is another priority: there are elevators and specially designed pathways for passengers with reduced mobility, ensuring the station is inclusive and convenient for all users.
Parking and Modern Amenities
To serve daily commuters and encourage multimodal integration, parking facilities for cars and two-wheelers are available, and recent initiatives have introduced cashless FASTag and UPI-based parking payment systems, reflecting DMRC’s push toward smart and digital transit solutions.
Beyond parking, the station precinct includes provisions for feeders like auto-rickshaws, taxis, and e-rickshaws, ensuring that the last-mile connectivity needs of passengers are addressed.
Challenges and Commuter Experience
As central and high-demand as Kashmere Gate is, its very popularity poses challenges. During peak travel hours, crowd density can become intense, and passengers sometimes face long queues and frequent congestion — typical of a transport hub handling such massive daily ridership. Anecdotes from commuters often mention scrambling for space or the hustle involved in changing trains during rush times. Yet, for many, it also represents the pulse of Delhi’s rapid urban transit life.
Beyond Transportation: Urban Impact
Kashmere Gate Metro Station is not just a commuter node — it has helped reshape how people move across Delhi. Its strategic utility makes it central to:
- Connecting North, Central, and South Delhi
- Offering quick transfers between major lines without congesting other interchanges
- Supporting the economic activities of Old Delhi markets and nearby business districts
- Enhancing accessibility for tourists and residents alike to historic city precincts.
The station’s design and integration have also influenced subsequent metro planning and interchange designs in other Indian cities, positioning Kashmere Gate as a benchmark in urban transit planning.
Conclusion
Kashmere Gate Metro Station stands as a symbol of modern urban connectivity — complex yet efficient, historic yet forward-looking. By combining strategic location, multi-line integration, and legacy proximity to Old Delhi’s historic landmarks, it continues to be an indispensable corridor in the life of Delhi’s metro ecosystem.
Whether it’s the commuter rushing between lines, the visitor navigating Delhi’s urban sprawl, or the city planner drawing insights from its layered design, Kashmere Gate Metro Station represents the dynamic interplay between history, engineering, and everyday urban life in India’s capital.
Sanjay Mishra 
Suman Gupta