Full Magenta Line likely to open by monthend
INCREASED CONNECTIVITY The Kalkaji to Janakpuri West Metro station stretch is almost ready for operation, says DMRC. Botanical Gardenkalkaji Mandir section is already open
NEW DELHI: Commute between south, west Delhi and Noida will become all the more easy with the opening of the entire stretch of the Janakpuri West-botanical Garden section of the Magenta Line, which is scheduled for inauguration this month, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) officials confirmed on Wednesday.
The 12.64km stretch — from Botanical Garden to Kalkaji Mandir — of the 37km line was already inaugurated on December 25 last year, and is in use for public.
“The remaining stretch — Kalkaji to Janakpuri West Metro station — is almost ready for operation. The work in all the stations has been completed. We will be sending a request for inspections and by April end, we will most likely open the line for public,” a Metro spokesperson said.
Officials i nvolved i n the project said that the opening of the Magenta Line will help commuters from Munirka, Chirag Delhi and RK Puram have easy access to the Metro, giving them direct connectivity to Noida.
At present, commuters in these locations have to travel till either Saket, Hauz Khas or Green Park, to access the Yellow Line (Huda City Centre-samaypur Badli), or to Connaught Place to take the Blue Line (Dwarka Sector 21-Noida City Centre).
The Janakpuri West-botanical Garden stretch will have 25 stations; 10 will be elevated while 15 will be underground.
In a book launch on Wednesday, the DMRC highlighted the challenges that they overcame to complete the phase-iii network. The book was unveiled by DMRC managing director Mangu Singh and is written by executive director (corporate communication) Anuj Dayal. “All the corridors under the Phase-iii were constructed through congested residential as well as commercial areas,” said Dayal.
Elaborating a few of these challenges, the DMRC said the Heri- tage Line (Central SecretariatKashmere Gate corridor of the Violet Line) turned out to be the biggest challenge in the phase.
“During tunnelling work between Delhi Gate and Jama Masjid stations, and at Azadpur station (of Pink Line), tunnel boring machines got stuck as they could only move forward. We built shafts to get TBMS out , so as to avoid the delay ” Singh said.