Metro to improve mobile network on violet, yellow lines
Metro commuters struggling with poor mobile network may finally have a reason to smile. To improve cellular coverage, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has decided to upgrade mobile signal strength across its corridors.
To begin with, the Delhi Metro has chosen a few stations on the Violet Line (ITO-Escorts Mujesar) and the Yellow Line (Samaypur Badli-HUDA City Centre) where new cellular towers will be installed. “The DMRC will provide bare spaces on license basis for placement and operation of telecommunication equipment. The aim is to enhance mobile signal, which would also mean better 2G, 3G and 4G services for commuters,” a Metro official said.
In the first phase, 11 metro stations have been identified where ground based mobile towers will be installed. These include stations like Rohini Sector 18, Haiderpur Badli Mor, Escorts Mujesar, Sarai, Bata Chowk and Old Faridabad stations.
“All towers would be installed at the parking lots of the identified metro stations. The stations were decided based on complaints or feedback received from commuters,” another official said.
The move would also help DMRC in augmenting its non-operational revenue. “We are not in a position to give any figures with regard to the revenue earned. The bids have been floated and the process is on. Delhi Metro will get the license fee paid for the space it would provide,” the official said.
Last year, the DMRC had taken up a similar augmentation project for the high-speed Airport Express Metro Line (AEML).
The selected telecom operators had installed equipment providing shared mobile coverage of 2G/3G and 4G on at least 100 pillars of the elevated stretch of the airport line.
For the underground section, right of way was provided to lay optical fibre cables and power cables to connect the equipment.
The average ridership of Delhi Metro daily is 27 lakh.