Delhi to have six new Metro lines

New Delhi: Delhi is expected to get additional 108 km of Metro lines in Phase III with the government suggesting two more lines to the six already planned. While the six new lines will be around 69 km long, the two lines suggested by Delhi government will be 39 km long. The Delhi Metro will now start preparing detailed projects on the two new suggested lines.



The government has suggested an Outer Ring Road route connecting Badli with Sector 18 in Noida through Uttam Nagar, Dhaula Kuan and GK II. Since this line is a completely new proposal, the DMRC will have to prepare a detailed project report of the route.

The other modification suggested is a 7-km link connecting Rajouri Garden to Dhaula Kuan. The Delhi Metro had proposed two corridors -- Rajouri Garden to Mukundpur and Dhaula Kuan to Anand Vihar -- both of which have been approved by the Cabinet, which suggested that both corridors be linked, said the officials .

The government has also asked the DMRC to reconsider the proposed Ashok Park-Delhi Gate corridor as two Metro corridors already run parallel to this and a light rail transit system is being planned on the same route. "We have asked the DMRC to reconsider this route. We feel that this corridor can be avoided as there are lines feeding this area. However, this is only a suggestion and the DMRC can re-examine it," Transport Commissioner and Secretary R K Verma told (Indian Express) Newsline.

The Dwarka Sector 9 to Noida/ Anand Vihar line and Inderlok-Mundka line run parallel to this proposed corridor. But sources said the new line was proposed as this has been identified as a densely populated area with high ridership possibilities.




Though the corridors proposed by the DMRC and the suggestions made by the Transport department were approved by the Cabinet on October 11, the DMRC received the notification on approvals and changes last Wednesday. DMRC Director (Projects) Kumar Keshav said, "We have received the suggestions and are looking into them. A detailed project report has to be done on the new lines suggested by the government."

Sources said that Delhi Metro officials were largely in agreement with the changes proposed. The link from Rajouri Garden to Dhaula Kuan was to be considered at a later stage by DMRC and hence wasn't proposed for the initial Phase III lines. However, with the government insisting that the line be considered, DMRC has been in agreement with the decision.

Meanwhile, geo-technical and topographical surveys are being conducted for the Central Secretariat-ITO and Jahangirpuri-Badli corridors which are expected to be expedited first in line. All the lines, however, have to go through Cabinet approvals once again after the routes are finalised and then through the Group of Ministers, following which the funding will be decided.

Source: The Indian Express