Metro Phase 3: Work to begin in November

Construction work for the proposed 103-km Phase 3 of Delhi Metro will start in November, two months before the Delhi Metro chief E Sreedharan retires from his service.

Construction work for the proposed 103-km Phase 3 of Delhi Metro will start in November, two months before the Delhi Metro chief E Sreedharan retires from his service.

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Phase 3 construction work will start on the controversial Central Secretariat-Kashmere Gate underground corridor (9.3 km).

Delhi Metro had originally planned to start work on all four corridors before Sreedharan retires. However, according to officials, construction of the three other corridors —Mukundpur-Yamuna Vihar (55.69 km), Janakpuri West-Botanical Garden (33.49 km) and Jahangirpuri-Badli (4.48 km) — is expected to start early next year.

The corridor, which is an extension of the Central Secretariat-Badarpur line, will connect central parts of the city with Old Delhi. It will pass through ASI-protected sites like Jantar Mantar, Agrasen Ki Baoli, Sunhari Masjid, Delhi Gate and Red Fort.

The corridor is yet to get mandatory clearance from the National Monument Authority (NMA). An amendment in the Archaeological Act last year, which bans any construction within 100 metres in all directions of an ASI-protected monument and puts several restrictions for further 200 metres (between 100-300 metres), necessitates the corridor to secure the clearance.

"Preliminary works on the corridor has already been started. Construction of shaft for lowering Tunnel Boring Machine

is also in progress," said Anuj Dayal, spokesperson of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).

Tendering process for the civil works has been completed for the Central Secretariat – Mandi House section of the corridor. “Tenders for the remaining portion of the corridor will be awarded in a few weeks,” said a DMRC official.

According to a DMRC official, in October DMRC will start preliminary works for construction of Janpath station, which may lead to traffic jams on the busy area. In a bid to reduce traffic congestions, Delhi traffic police will make arrangements for traffic diversions.

DMRC has made a traffic diversion plan which is awaiting a nod from New Delhi Municipal Council. “Traffic diversions are likely to be in place in and around Janpath from October,” said Satyendra Garg, joint commissioner of police (traffic).