Delhi Metro’s heritage line likely to begin operations later this week

The final safety inspection for the Delhi Metro’s ITO-Kashmere Gate heritage line began on Monday.

If approved by the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) after a two-day exercise, Delhiites can expect to use the corridor by the end of this week.

Final nod awaited

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) authorities are hopeful of getting final clearance after the safety inspection of the 5.17-km-long section, which will cross Delhi Gate, Jama Masjid and Red Fort stations before the corridor ends at Kashmere Gate. The line is an extension of the Violet Line that runs between Faridabad and ITO at present.

“The line is likely to be thrown open this week provided no major issues are red-flagged during the safety inspection,” said a DMRC official.

Once the line is thrown open, the metro will be more accessible for residents of the Walled City. The move is expected to ease pressure on the busy Rajiv Chowk station on the Blue Line as the corridor will link Faridabad to the Red Line — that connects Dilshad Garden and Rithala — by offering interchange facility at Kashmere Gate.

The corridor is also expected to decongest Chandni Chowk and Chawri Bazar stations on the Yellow Line (Huda City Centre to Jahangirpuri), besides reducing traffic in congested areas.

The Heritage Corridor has missed a few deadlines, the most recent being in March.