Nippon Signal will supply its Simple-structure and high Performance ATC by Radio Communication (Sparcs) system for the 36.4km line, which will follow the outer ring road south of the city from Janakpuri West to Hauz Khas, Kalindj Kunj, and Botanical Garden in Noida. Line 8 will have 26 stations, 12 of them underground, and 19km of the route will be elevated or at grade with the remaining 17.3km in tunnels.

The first phase of Line 8 will open in June 2015 and services will be operated by six-car trains, but with peak headways of 2min 15sec and a commercial speed of around 35km/h, hourly capacity will be higher than on existing lines.

The deal is the first Indian metro signalling contract to be awarded to a Japanese supplier.