The Hindu : New Delhi News : Shahdara-Dilshad Garden metro link on fast track

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Shahdara-Dilshad Garden metro link on fast track

Smriti Kak Ramachandran

DMRC officials expect to inaugurate line before the scheduled December 2008 deadline
3.1 km stretch to attract heavy rush of passengers commuting between Delhi and U.P.

NEW DELHI: In terms of distance it is a mere 3 km, but the Shahdara-Dilshad Garden metro railway link here in the Capital could well register the maximum footfalls once it becomes operational later this year.

Because of its proximity to the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border, the upcoming new line is expected to attract a heavy rush of passengers who commute between the two States daily. The 3.1-km Shahdara-Dilshad Garden line will be the first link to become operational in Phase II of Delhi Metro. “About 95 per cent of civil work is over. If things go as planned, we may be able to open the line earlier than the scheduled December 2008 deadline. We are yet to work out the exact date of inauguration, but it could be moved ahead by a few months,” says Anuj Dayal, Chief Public Relations Officer of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.

Giving reasons for the speedy completion of work on the stretch, another DMRC official said contractors for the link were part of the Phase I construction team. “During the first phase, it was a learning experience. We had to keep learning even as work was being carried out. In the second phase, the experience gained during the first phase came in handy and it also helped that the stretch covers a little over 3 km,” he added.

With most of the construction work accomplished, the focus now is on completing work related to signalling, telecommunications, electrification and finishing of the stations. There will be three elevated stations on the new line: Mansarover Park, Jhilmil Colony and Dilshad Garden. Each station will have four escalators and three lifts and will be 20 metres off the ground because of the existing flyover at Shahdara. Parking space has been allocated at Jhilmil Colony and Dilshad Garden, but because of congestion and lack of adequate space there will be no parking at Mansarovar Park.

“The station designs have been finalised and provisions have been made for rainwater harvesting at all the three stations,” says Mr. Dayal.

The peak hour frequency of four minutes will be maintained and DMRC officials say they expect a heavy rush on the line. “It will be very convenient for people to come to any of these stations and commute to Central Delhi. Connectivity between townships in UP and Dilshad Garden is good, but once the line is commissioned we will explore the possibility of running a feeder service as well,” say officials.

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