Stage set for opening of Magenta line by Modi
ON TRACK Prime Minister to inaugurate Botanical Gardenkalkaji Mandir stretch on Monday
NEW DELHI: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation’s (DMRC) Magenta Line, which will reduce travel time between Noida and south Delhi to 19 minutes, is set to be opened for the public on December 25.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Botanical Garden-kalkaji Mandir section on the line, which is eventually going to extend till Janakpuri West, at 5 in the evening.
The initial frequency will be 5 minutes and 14 seconds with 10 trains being pressed into service. Later, depending on the demand, the frequency may be increased.
The new trains that can run without a driver will be put on tracks for the first time on Magenta Line. However, commuters will have to wait for two more years before these trains run on the auto mode.
The platforms at all the nine stations will have screen doors for the safety of passengers. DMRC had installed such doors only on the Airport Express Line.
The seats will be coloured and there are backrests for standing passengers. This is the only line in the Metro network to have an interchange station in the NCR.
Passengers from Noida can go to Faridabad without having to travel to Mandi House.
Though there was some panic earlier this week when a train on a trial run broke through a wall at a Metro depot, DMRC said there was no hold-up.
DMRC said t he journey between Botanical Garden and Kalkaji Mandir will now cost ₹30 against ₹50 earlier due to the new interchange station.
This section will boost tourism in the area as many landmarks such as Lotus Temple, Kalkaji Mandir, Okhla Bird Sanctuary and Botanical Garden in Noida are within walking a distance from the line.
The section will cater to two major educational institutions – Jamia Millia Islamia University and Amity University, Noida.