Metro chugs into 3rd phase from Nov

Starting November Delhiites will have to bear with traffic congestions in various parts of the city, including the stretch from ITO to Red Fort, with the 3rd phase of the metro rail network set to begin civil work. Subhendu Ray reports.

Starting November Delhiites will have to bear with traffic congestions in various parts of the city, including the busy stretch from ITO to Red Fort, with the third phase of the metro rail network set to begin civil work.

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The Rs 35,000-crore project aims to build a 102-km — mainly circular — network connecting all parts of the Capital. All four corridors of the new phase are expected to be completed in the next five years.

A group of union ministers headed by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee gave its nod to the expansion plan on Tuesday. Civil works on the underground stretch from Central Secretariat to Kashmere Gate is to start from November, a senior official of the Delhi Metro Rail

Corporation (DMRC) said.

The other corridors of the expansion plan are the 33-km line from Janakpuri in the south to Noida, bordering eastern Delhi, a 56-km stretch from Mukundpur to Yamuna Vihar in the north and a 4.5-km stretch from Badli to Jahangirpuri in the north.

“What is unique about the third phase of our expansion plan is that it will connect all parts of Delhi, further reducing commuters' dependence on private transport," said DMRC spokesperson Anuj Dayal.

Traffic and transportation experts agree that the new corridors would lead to traffic congestions during the construction phase but would eventually ensure smoother rides.

"As there is not much space along the Outer Ring Road, the authorities will have to ensure that a traffic management plan is prepared and implemented to minimise inconvenience to the public," said transportation expert PK Sarkar.