The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Blue Dart on Sunday to develop urban logistics services. According to a DMRC statement, this pioneering service represents a leading sustainability initiative across the South Asia Pacific region through collaboration between DMRC and Blue Dart.

During non-peak hours, Blue Dart will use metro trains to transport cargo, maximizing available train capacity for swift, priority deliveries. This collaboration is expected to reduce road transportation, helping to ease traffic congestion and decrease air pollution. DMRC aims to utilize all its resources efficiently to support environmentally friendly transportation systems.

As quoted by India TV, DMRC stated, “Under this initiative, DMRC is leveraging its stations and tracks to establish a sustainable urban freight network across Delhi-NCR.”

Through this partnership, both organizations will enhance operational efficiency and develop urban freight operations with lower carbon emissions by transforming metro systems into logistics hubs. The joint venture between DMRC and Blue Dart seeks to establish a sustainable urban cargo transportation system by integrating technological advancements with environmental conservation in metropolitan areas.

Metro operators worldwide are actively exploring revenue-generation opportunities through sustainable utilization of spare capacity. For example, Madrid Metro, in partnership with logistics companies, is running a pilot project for metro train parcel transportation to reduce city pollution and traffic congestion. The DMRC team is currently collaborating with Madrid Metro to exchange knowledge and best practices in metropolitan freight distribution.