Airport Metro line up for safety check

The much-awaited Airport Express Line of Delhi Metro is finally ready to kick off. The Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) will inspect the 23-km stretch between Dwarka Sector 21 and New Delhi railway station on Monday and Tuesday; the stretch is expected to be operational immediately after the CMRS certifies it safe. HT reports.

The much-awaited Airport Express Line of Delhi Metro is finally ready to kick off. The Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) will inspect the 23-km stretch between Dwarka Sector 21 and New Delhi railway station on Monday and Tuesday; the stretch is expected to be operational immediately after the CMRS certifies it safe.

HT Image

Reliance Infrastructure, which has built the line and would operate it for 30 years, is expecting footfall of 20,000 to 25,000 per day after the line is open to public.

"The project is ready in all aspects. We have successfully done the testing and commissioning and are awaiting CMRS inspection. It will take place on Monday and Tuesday. The opening of Airport Express line will be decided once the inspection is over," said a spokesperson of Reliance Infrastructure.

Trial run of the line between Dwarka Sector 21 and Shivaji Stadium happened early last week; the entire stretch was tested this week.

Trains were tested up to the speed of 135 kmph — the highest attained by any Metro train in India till now.

However, the fate of Central Secretariat-Badarpur corridor still remains uncertain. The 20.16-km Metro line might not open by end of the month, as promised by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) chief E. Sreedharan. "We got dates for safety inspection for the Airport Express Line but yet to get any dates for the Central Secretariat-Badarpur corridor," said Anuj Dayal, DMRC spokesperson. "We do not know exactly when the corridor will be opened. But this will be opened before the Commonwealth Games."