Hindustan Times (Delhi)

Artworks to decorate walls of Magenta line

- Abhinav Rajput abhinav@hindustant­imes.com

DELHI METRO The theme of the art at stations on the Janakpuri WestBotani­cal Garden corridor will be based on the neighbourh­oods

:Delhi Metro’s upcoming Magenta line will be a visual treat for commuters as artworks will adorn four stations —Jamia Millia Islamia, Indian Institute of Technology and Terminal 1D of Indira Gandhi Airport.

Taking a cue from the Heritage Line, the theme of the artwork on these stations on the Janakpuri West-Botanical Garden corridor will be based on the salient features of the neighbourh­oods.

For instance, the artwork at Jamia Millia Islamia will depict photos of the values of the university, education, art and learning.

The Magenta line will connect education hubs such as Jamia Milia Islamia and IIT-Delhi. The line is likely to be operationa­l by September. Battling land issues, the project had missed its December 2016 deadline.

The corridors of IIT will be decorated with artefacts depicting the struggle of students in coping up with changing technologi­es.

At the Kalkaji station, the walls will be decorated with paintings and artefacts of the Lotus and ISKCON temples. The one at IGI airport will showcase Delhi’s hilly areas and the national bird, peacock, said a senior official of Delhi metro.

“The theme of mountain and peacock was chosen for the airport station because it is near the ridge area,” he said.

Stations on the 5.17-km Heritage line has 3D panels depicting the glory of Old Delhi at the Delhi Gate, Jama Masjid, Lal Quila and Kashmere Gate stations.

The life-size artworks and walls decorated with paintings showcasing India’s history during the Mughal era was were well received by commuters. So the metro has decided to carry forward the concept in other stations also, he said.

Stations such as INA, Govindpuri, Green Park and Jangpura also have artworks on the walls.

“Having tied up with various government bodies/organisati­ons such as the National Book Trust, Delhi Tourism, Sahitya Akademi, India Habitat Centre and the textile ministry, DMRC is enhancing the overall commuting experience,” he said.

Trials between Botanical Garden in Noida and Kalkaji Mandir (13 km) in Delhi had started on October 27 last year while dummy runs between Terminal 1-IGI airport and Janakpuri west (10KM) began on December 21.

This Botanical Garden-Kalkaji Mandir section, which will be opened in next two months, has nine elevated stations – Botanical Garden, Okhla sanctuary, Kalindi Kunj, Jasola Vihar Shaheen Bagh, Okhla Vihar, Jamia Milia, Sukhdev Vihar, Okhla NSIC and Kalkaji Mandir.

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 ?? HANDOUT ?? Some of the artwork that will be seen on the walls of Magenta line stations.
HANDOUT Some of the artwork that will be seen on the walls of Magenta line stations.
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