The state-owned MTNL on Wednesday announced expansion of its GSM cellular capacity by an additional four lakh lines each in Delhi and Mumbai, from the current 2.25 lakh lines each in the two metros.

Out of the four lakh lines each, 2.8 lakh lines would be for pre-paid in both the metros, union minister for communications and information technology Dayanidhi Maran said in New Delhi.

"Initially prepaid connection would be available to the customers in Delhi and Mumbai and post-paid connections would be available from November 15", RSP Sinha, CMD, MTNL said.

The new number series of the expanded lines would start from 98685. Earlier MTNL number had a series of 98681.

Motorola has supplied equipment for the expansion and the total cost of the project is about Rs 227 crore (Rs 2.27 billion) in Delhi and Rs 216 crore (Rs 2.16 billion) in Mumbai, he added.

MTNL has pumped in about Rs 450 crore (Rs 4.5 billion) for the GSM expansion.