The Delhi Metro has finally approached the safety commissioner for the inspection of its much-delayed ITO-Kashmere Gate ‘Heritage Corridor’. However, it is likely to miss the March launch deadline.
“The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has submitted the papers pertaining to the 5.17-km-long section from ITO to Kashmere Gate to the Commissioner for Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) for scrutiny. The DMRC has also submitted papers to the Independent Safety Assessor (ISA) for safety certification of the signalling systems,” a DMRC spokesperson said.
“The documents will be scrutinised by CMRS office and thereafter a CMRS inspection shall be planned. The line will be opened to public after safety certification of signalling system by ISA,” the spokesperson said.
Trial runs began last August on the Heritage Corridor, which has three stations: Delhi Gate, Jama Masjid and Red Fort.
The corridor is an extension of the Faridabad-ITO corridor (Violet Line).
DMRC chief Mangu Singh had said the line was well on course for launch last December but labour crunch triggered by a ban on construction and demolition activities and demonetisation led to the delay.
DMRC is also going to integrate the signaling system from existing operational section with the upcoming ITO to Kashmere Gate section of the Line from Sunday, March 19.
The Heritage sectionwill provide an alternate route for a large number of Metro users. Commuters will have the option of travelling between Central Secretariat and Kashmere Gate via the Yellow Line (Jahangirpuri-HUDA City Centre) or the Violet Line. Also, commuters coming from Kashmere Gate and destined to Noida or Vaishali can use the Violet Line to reach Mandi House and interchanging with the Blue Line instead of getting down at Rajiv Chowk to change trains.
