Christmas is set to bring in much needed cheer for Delhi metro commuters, as the DMRC’s Magenta Line opens its doors on Monday, 25 December. The first phase of the line, that connects Botanical Garden to Kalkaji, will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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South Delhi to Noida in 19 Mins
The full phase of the Delhi Metro Magenta line received its required safety approvals from the Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) in November.
The 12.64-km metro stretch is a part of the upcoming Botanical Garden (Noida)-Janakpuri West (Delhi) corridor. It has nine stations – Botanical Garden, Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Kalindi Kunj, Jasola Vihar-Shaheen Bagh, Okhla Vihar, Jamia Millia Islamia, Sukhdev Vihar, Okhla NSIC and Kalkaji Mandir.
Earlier, passengers travelling to South Delhi from Noida had to cross 10 stations to reach Mandi House.
The Magenta line will cut short the travel journey of about 52 minutes to 19 minutes. Noida passengers travelling to Faridabad will be able switch trains at Kalkaji Mandir on the violet line.
With its presence on Magenta line and Blue Line, the Botanical Garden metro station will be Delhi Metro's first interchangeable station outside the capital city, NDTV reported. Commuters will pay Rs 30 rupees instead of Rs 50, thanks to the interchange station.
The new route will also make commuting easier for students and staff of the Jamia Millia Islamia and Amity University, the report added.
Many Firsts
- Commuters can save Rs 20, thanks to the interchange station at Botanical Garden
- Every station to have Wi-Fi
- Trains to offer more space for wheelchair-bound commuters
- Charging points to connect phone without a power adapter
- Trains to have additional space for 12 passengers
According to Hindustan Times, the unmanned driverless trains will use first-of-its-kind signaling system called the Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling technology. For the initial 2-3 years, trains on this route will run with drivers.
“With this signalling system, the frequency of the trains will increase and the waiting period will go down to 90-100 seconds from two minutes,” a DMRC official told Indian Express.
The trains will have Wi-Fi, USB ports and charging points, while fully programmable LCD screens will display videos, graphics and other information.
The new trains will have red, pink, orange and blue seats, along with a backrest near the wheelchair area, HT reported.
This line will have fully automated platform screen doors at every station, similar to the jubilee line of the London tube. According to Times of India, the multi-handle rails will accommodate more than one passenger.
Once the Botanical Garden-Janakpuri West stretch opens (38.23 km), Hauz Khas will serve as an interchange station, to serve as an alternative to the congested Rajiv Chowk.
(With inputs from Hindustan Times, Times of India, Indian Express)
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