NEW DELHI: Elated over the tremendous response from the public to its newly-opened Line III between Barakhamba Road and Dwarka, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has decided to increase the capacity of trains running on this section. Similarly, it has decided to increase frequency of trains on Line I and Line II.

"At present we have introduced 18 coaches on Line III, which will be increased to 24 over the next four months. Keeping in mind the increase in number of passengers on Line I between Shahdara and Rithala and Line II between Central Secretariat and Vishwavidyalaya, we have also decided to gradually bring down train frequency from four minutes to three minutes," said DRMC spokesperson Anuj Dayal.

Stating that the DRMC has enough trains to easily accommodate rush of passengers, he said: "By March this year the entire section till Dwarka sub-city will be opened. Similarly, the line from Barakhamba till Indraprastha will become operation in June. It is during this period that we will do a comprehensive review of all the operational sections and then decide on augmentation of trains and increase in frequency."

According to the DMRC spokesperson, they were also looking at the possibility of increasing the number of coaches from the present four to eight, while the frequency on Line I and Line II have already been brought down from five to four minutes. Significantly, Delhi Metro that runs more than 20,000 km per day carrying four to five-lakh passengers is one of the most heavily used public transport system in the world.

Mr. Dayal also informed that in 2005, Delhi Metro that runs its service from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. recorded 99 per cent punctuality in its operation where punctuality was measured in seconds and a train in considered late if it was more than 60 seconds late.

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