The much-awaited Airport Express Metro line finally got safety clearance from the commissioner of Metro rail safety on Monday evening. While the line is expected to become operational in around a week’s time, CMRS R K Kardam has recommended cutting down the speed of the trains and reconsidering the security set-up.

“A few observations have been made, which I hope DMRC will address soon,” Kardam said. These include reducing speed from 120kmph that Delhi Airport Metro Express has been proposing to 105kmph and reviewing the use of private security on the line. While the concessionaire has proposed using private security, there have been reservations about the proposal, especially as CISF provides security in the rest of the Metro network. From NDLS to IGI Airport IN 20 MINUTES With the CMRS safety nod and the line ready for use, services on 22-km link could start in coming few days.

Airport Express Metro Line was given safety clearance on Monday (10-Jan-11) evening and the commissioner has made recommendations regarding the speed of trains and the security setup. “DMRC is already looking into the matter…I have asked it to approach the competent authority," said CMRS R KKardam.

Though DAMEPL officials refused to commit on when the link will be opened, sources said that with the line ready for use, services could become available within three-four days. Said a DAMEPL spokesperson, "We are yet to receive a formal letter from them (CMRS). Once we have that, a decision would be taken on an operation timetable."

The concessionaire also refused to reveal the fare chart, claiming that a final decision was "yet to be taken". Sources however, admitted that the concessionaire was hoping to keep it within the cap of Rs 150, the maximum fare for travel from New Delhi to IGIA or Dwarka sector 21. Said a DAMEPL official, "The fare will be commuter friendly…we would like to keep it less than the proposed Rs 150." The base fare meanwhile, will not "vary too much from DMRC rates," added the official. Sources however, say that the base fare will be substantially higher than DMRC's Rs 8, at around Rs 25-30.

The Airport Express Metro line will have six stations:

New Delhi - Shivaji stadium - Dhaula Kuan - Delhi Aerocity or NH8 - IGI Airport - Dwarka sector 21.

Dhaula Kuan and the NH8 stations, however, are not going to be opened any time soon. Said an official, "Since there's little development along the NH8, we don't expect too many passengers from this station. Fire clearance however, has been taken for the station while the Dhaula Kuan station is still undergoing some civil work."

AIRPORT EXPRESS METRO LINE
Length 22.7 km
7 km elevated, 15.7 km underground


Frequency 10 min
expected

Expected ridership 42,500
by 2011

Cost of Construction 38,000cr

Passengers can avail of the check-in facility at three stations - New Delhi, Shivaji and Dhaula Kuan. The first two will also do baggage check-in. However, with only Air India at present on board, check-in at the Metro stations is still being sorted out by DAMEPL. The 22km line will be traversed in minutes with the new Metro line, especially with two stations being out of commission at the moment. For passengers, the USP of the Airport Metro is the drop-down points at the New Delhi metro station as well as the multi-level parking that would be available later. The ride from the New Delhi metro station, located adjacent to the Ajmeri Gate side of the New Delhi Railway station, to the IGI airport will be completed in around 20 minutes at a speed of 105kmph. While the checked-in baggage will be sent via a separate channel, passengers will travel through a lounge to enter T3 of the IGI airport. The trains will be climate-controlled and will have specialized front facing seats as well as ample space for luggage.

Speed
Was pitched at 120kmph. But after CMRS approval it will now run at 105kmph

Fare
Yet to be announced. Delhi Airport Metro Express Pvt Ltd (DAMEPL) says it will be “commuter friendly”. Maximum fare (New Delhi–IGI) expected to be less than Rs 150

Minimum fare
DAMEPL says will not “vary too much” from DMRC’s rates (which start from Rs 8). Sources, however, say minimum fare could be around Rs 25-30

New Delhi station
Will have drop-down points in beginning though DMRC is also building a multi-level parking over the station

Check-in facilities
At 3 stations — baggage check-in at New Delhi and Shivaji; passenger check-in at Dhaula Kuan

IGI Station
To come up adjacent to Terminal 3. Baggage gets transferred to airport through separate channel for another round of security check and passengers go through lounge to the departure terminal

Source: Times of India