Airport metro service to resume only by September-end

The high-speed airport metro express is likely to resume operations by the third week of September.

The high-speed airport metro express is likely to resume operations by the third week of September.

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The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), which has started replacing the damaged grouts (construction material used to fill voids and seal joints) on the 22.7 km line, will complete work by September 20, said a senior DMRC official.

“All the cemented grouts will be replaced by steel-made grouts above the pier cap of the metro line, so they do not get damaged in future,” said the officer, who did not wish to be named.

Earlier on July 8, the Urban Development Ministry had suspended the train service following the identification of major damages in the civil construction of the line, especially in the bearings and grouts. It had set an August-end deadline for reopening of the service.

“Initially, we calculated that the repair work would be completed by the end of August as we had thought that only 500 bearings and grouts would have to be replaced. But now, we have decided to change all the bearings and grouts to be on the safe side,” said the officer.

Keeping in view the safety of commuters, the concessionaire company, Delhi Airport Metro Express Pvt Ltd, had initially restricted the speed of trains on the 6.5-km elevated stretch during the second week of July and had finally decided to suspend the service for an indefinite period.