India, Feb. 20 -- Repeated thefts of copper signalling and power cables seem to have forced the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) into a strategic overhaul of its network. The corporation plans to replace copper wiring with aluminium across 175 kilometres of its system to "theft-proof" the network.

The DMRC will invest Rs 32.59 crore over the next 18 months to swap 33-kilovolt (kV) copper wiring for aluminium. According to the corporation officials, existing 33 kV copper cables will be removed and replaced with aluminium cables (1CX400 sq mm), which will be laid in trefoil formation along metro viaducts.

The overhaul targets the most vulnerable sections of the network, including the Yamuna Bank line near the riverbed, the Airport Expr...