M A I N   N E W S

Now New Delhi rly station to IGIA in 18 minutes
* Metro Express inauguration in March
* The 23-km line will initially connect four stations
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 20
With the much-anticipated Airport Metro Express line likely to start operations from Wednesday, commuters will now be able to travel between Indira Gandhi International Airport and New Delhi Railway Station in just 18 minutes.

If everything falls as planned, including the deployment of the 400 Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) for the line’s security, the 23-km line will initially open with four stations of New Delhi Railway Station, Shivaji Stadium, Dhaula Kuan and new swanky Terminal-3 to the public.

Both Delhi Airport Metro Express Private Limited (DAMEPL), the Reliance Infra-led consortium that will run the corridor, and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation said they were hopeful that the line would be begin operations soon.

However, as earlier indicated by Metro officials, the formal inauguration of the corridor is likely to take place later in March. Other two stations - Dhaula Kuan and Delhi Aero City - are expected to be ready by the time the formal inauguration takes place.“It depends on the CISF deployment, but we are hopeful that the operations will begin on February 23,” said a Delhi Metro Rail Corporation official.

The link service will feature six-coach trains supplied by Spanish company CAF, each seating 800 passengers and capable of reaching a maximum speed of 135 kmph. Passengers making use of the link will also have the option of checking in their bags at three link stations — New Delhi, Shivaji Stadium and Dhaula Kuan — rather than at the airport.