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Delhiites promised a dream run

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI AUG 9. How about cutting across Delhi and travelling from Dwarka to Noida City Centre in about 1 hour 10 minutes; or taking just as much time for travelling from Vasant Kunj to Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar -- and that too during rush hour. Though this may appear a figment of imagination, it could well become a reality by 2010 if the acceptance "in principle'' accorded by Delhi Government to Delhi Metro's Phase II is actually implemented.

It was following a detailed presentation by the Managing Director of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, E. Sreedharan, that the Delhi Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, had given her Government's approval to the project.

Incidentally, there appears to be strong support for the extension of the Metro Project. At the Annual Day of DMRC, the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Vijai Kapoor, had called for making Metro a "rolling project''. And a couple of months ago, Ms. Dikshit had also spoken about "Metro expansion'' at a Press conference.

As per the presentation made by Mr. Sreedharan on Phase II of Delhi Metro Project, the city would by 2010 have three Metro corridors criss-crossing it. While one would run from Dwarka to Noida City Centre, Shahdara-Rithala line would be extended up to Barwala. With these lines running horizontally, the Vasant Kunj- Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar north-south corridor would provide the crucial vertical link.

The presentation mentioned how under Phase I of the project construction has been undertaken of the 28 km Shahdara-Barwala line and 11 km Vishwa Vidyalaya-Central Secretariat corridor. Further, the Group of Ministers recently accorded sanction to the 23.16 km Barakhamba Road-Dwarka corridor.

It further stated that while the Shahdara-Tis Hazari section would be commissioned in December 2002, Tis-Hazari-Tri Nagar would start in September 2003, Tri Nagar-Rithala in March 2004, Vishwa Vidyalaya-ISBT in December 2004, ISBT Central Secretariat in September 2005, Barakhamba Road-Kirti Nagar in June 2005 and Kirti Nagar-Dwarka in September 2005. Along with Rithala-Barwala section, which would be completed later, Phase I would comprise a total route length of 62.16 km.

Under Phase II of the project, DMRC has suggested extending the line from Vishwa Vidyalaya to Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar. This 8.6 km stretch would have 0.6 km underground corridor and 8 km of elevated tracks.

This section would cater to 4.20 lakh passengers per day with seven stations at Guru Tegh Bahadur Nagar, Derawal Nagar, Model Town, Azadpur, Adarsh Nagar, Jahangirpuri and SGT Nagar.

The second proposed corridor between Central Secretariat and Vasant Kunj would be 18.2 km long with a 6.1 km section under the ground and 12.1 km elevated. This corridor is expected to ferry 5.60 lakh passengers per day.

It would have 18 stations at Tughlaq Road, Safdarjung Tomb, Laxmibai Nagar, Kidwai Nagar, AIIMS, Green Park, Hauz Khas Enclave, IIT, Navjeevan Nagar, Lado Sarai, Ahimsasthal, Ladha Sarai, Andheria Bagh, Vasant Kunj sector A, Vasant Kunj Sector D, Masudpur, Vasant Valley School and Ranga Puri.

The third proposed corridor in the presentation was the 15.3 km Barakhamba Road-Noida corridor which is expected to carry 10.2 lakh passengers per day. Primarily elevated with 10.8 km of raised tracks, it would also have 2.1 km under ground section and a 2.4 km "at grade'' section.

This corridor is proposed to link the Dwarka-Barakhamba Road line to Noida. Having 12 stations, it is proposed to go via Indraprastha, Yamuna Depot, Ganesh Nagar, Patparganj, Mayur Vihar, Trilok Puri, Vasundhra Enclave, Noida Sector 5, Jal Vayu Vihar, Noida Sector 21 and Noida City Centre.

The officials of DMRC had also apprised the Cabinet about the targets and destination of Phase II, which is expected to cost Rs. 8,900 crores.

But while the proposal has been agreed to "in principle'' by the Chief Minister, the Delhi Cabinet is understood to have suggested some changes in the routes.

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