Delhi: Magenta Line's Kalkaji-Janakpuri stretch likely to open by mid-May
What's the story
The Kalkaji Mandir to Janakpuri West stretch of DMRC's Magenta Line is likely to be inaugurated by mid-May, after getting safety clearance from Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety (CMRS). The inspection is slated to be conducted from May 8-10. Though no date has been announced yet, once inaugurated, this section will bring huge relief for Delhiites, especially those staying in Palam.
No official date yet
Line to greatly help residents of Palam, Delhi Cantonment
For residents of the Palam-Delhi Cantt area, DTC's route 764 is the only option to reach South and Central Delhi, but this section will provide them hassle-free travel option. The line also connects West and South Delhi with Noida. Safety clearance is the last lap before a metro-line gets inaugurated. Going by past records, DMRC will open this stretch within days of getting safety-nod.
Take a note
New section to have 16 stops with 2 interchange stations
Part of the 38.23-km-long Janakpuri West-Botanical Garden corridor, this 25.6km long section will have 16 stations, with Hauz Khas (Yellow-Line) and Janakpuri West (Blue-Line) doubling up as interchange stations. The corridor's remaining 12.64-km-long stretch between Botanical Garden to Kalkaji Mandir was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 25 last year. He had also traveled from Noida to Okhla along with UP CM.
Information
Kejriwal wasn't invited when Modi inaugurated Magenta line
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was conspicuous by his absence at the 2017 inauguration, though DMRC claimed it was a 50:50 partnership between Delhi and urban development ministry. The CMO had said that UP government and urban development ministry would know why Arvind Kejriwal wasn't invited.
Records
Many firsts marked by Botanical Garden-Kalkaji Mandir line
The Botanical Garden-Kalkaji Mandir line broke many records: the Communication-Based Train Control system will reduce waiting time from 2-minutes to 90-100 seconds. Unattended Train Operations will enable driverless trains, but not for another two-three years. Botanical Garden is the first interchange station outside Delhi: footfall is expected to increase from 30,000 to 97,780. Moreover, construction of two tunnels was completed simultaneously at Dabri Mor.