Construction began on the extension in April 2012 and trial operation started at the end of last year.
The extension is part of the 9.4km stretch of the Violet Line from Central Secretariat to Kashmere Gate, which is being opened in phases. Commercial services began operating on the 3km Central Secretariat – Mandi House section in June 2014 and the remainder of the line north from ITO to Jama Masjid, Delhi Gate, Red Fort and Kashmere Gate will open next year.
ITO station will relieve the ITO intersection, one of the city's busiest road junctions, which is used by an estimated 175,000 vehicles per day.
Initially around 22,000 passengers per day are forecast to pass through ITO station, increasing to 31,000 by 2021. The station includes a permanent exhibition highlighting the area's history.
