 Planning for the metro started in 1984 , when the Delhi Development Authority and the Urban Arts Commission came up with a proposal for developing a multi @-@ modal transport system for the city . Delhi Metro Rail Corporation ( DMRC ) was incorporated in May 1995 , construction started in 1998 , and the first section , on the Red Line , opened in 2002 . The development of network was divided into phases , Phase I containing 3 lines was completed by 2006 and Phase II in 2011 . Phase III is scheduled for completion by 2016 . Phase IV has been approved by the Delhi government , awaiting cabinet approval , to be completed by 2020 . 
