The Delhi Airport Metro Express corridor, shut down six months ago because of defects in the civil structure, resumes commercial operations from 5.30 a.m. this Tuesday (today).
A flat rate will apply across the line at a discounted nominal fare of Rs.30 per trip which is pegged as a “promotional initiative” where “passengers can travel from anywhere to anywhere on the line” only on the first day.
However, with the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) giving clearance to operate trains at a reduced speed of 50 kmph, the 18/20 minute journey from the heart of the city to Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport will now take at least 30 to 35 minutes.
“Reliance Metro’s Airport Express Line would run daily from 5-30 a.m. to 11-30 p.m. at a frequency of 15 minutes. Reliance Metro has made arrangements to provide seamless connectivity for Terminal-1 passengers to Aerocity Station through shared cab and shuttle bus services,” said the Reliance Infrastructure-backed Delhi Airport Metro Express Private Limited in a release.
While facilities such as cloak room, trolley and porter services and radio cab services will be available from Day One, check-in and baggage facilities for both international and domestic passengers will not be available for the time being. Among the new initiatives, the Airport Line has introduced new products in the form of ‘Return Journey’ tokens and ‘Sunday/Holiday’ discount tokens while retaining the monthly passes for regular commuters.
The line was shut down last July after problems arose due to defects in the civil structure. The defects have been rectified by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and the line was offered for re-inspection to the CMRS in December.
After a two-day inspection on January 15 and 16, the CMRS, R. K. Kardam, granted clearance to DMRC and Reliance-Infrastructure to resume operations on the 22.7-km line.
