Extension of night hours has set the cash registers ringing for Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). With an average 11,000 commuters taking Metro daily between 10 pm and midnight, the decision to extend services by two hours has indeed proved profitable for DMRC.

Apart from being lucrative venture, extended connectivity is slowly introducing sleepy Delhi to an all-new culture. And Times City went on board the last Metro between Vishwavidyalaya and Central Secretariat to find how.

We reached the busy Rajiv Chowk station around 10.30 pm to find it abuzz with activity. The downed shutters of a coffee outlet were perhaps the only indicator of time, while platforms were full of commuters. There were queues at ticket counters and even security and other Metro staff were present.

Estimates by DMRC reveal that trains running in the extended two hours ferry about 11,000 passenges daily, through which ticket money of Rs.1.2 lakh is collected. "The fare money is adequate to realize operational costs like electricity bills, running cost of trains for the additional run and additional manhours put in by operational and security staff. There is, however, potential for improvement," said Anuj Dayal, DMRC chief spokesperson.

The reporter took the last train n the underground Vishwavidyala - Central Secretariat route. The train was reasonably full of people - it starts from Vishwavidyalaya at 10.50 pm to get to Central Secretariat around 11.10 pm. The seats were all full and there were commuters standing too. It emptied out only at Rajiv Chowk, where only about 20 commuters were left in the train for the remaining run.

A lone woman traveling on the train looked 'at ease' - the expression seemed quite unexpected for a Delhi where half of the populous is used to unsafe might rides in buses and autos. "I am returning from Lucknow - I took the Metro from railway station as I find it more secure than autos and buses. I'm glad that the operations have been extended as I don't need to think before taking the night train now," said Preeti Shrivastava, a JNU student. A majority of CISF guards, who get off duty at 10 pm, take the Metro to get home. So the deployment increases by default.

For scores of commuters coming into Delhi from the two railway stations and a bus terminus connected to the train network, the extended timings are a boon. "public transport like autos are known to fleece outsiders. Metro assures me a hassle-free ride to my hotel, that too at a fixed fare," said Ram Prakash, a businessman, who regularly takes the night train to Delhi from Kalka.

As more trains come into Delhi at night, the busiest night station on weekday is New Delhi, followed by Shahdara, Chandni Chowk, Rajiv Chowk and Welcome. On weekends, Rajiv Chowk has the maximum load, followed by Central Secretariat. New Delhi, Shahdara and Chandni Chowk.

For burqa-clad shabnam, the late - night Metro has allowed the family of eight to visit India Gate. "We don't have a car and bus ride take long, so we never managed to go to India Gate at night from our Seelampur home. The Metro is running late so the men have been able to take us after returning from work," she said.

The last Metro leaves Rithala station at 11.45 pm to reach its last stop at Kashmere Gate at 00.12 am. The train was supposed to stop at Shahdara and head back to Shastri Park depot, so officials decided to allow passengers on it. About 100 commuters use the train, most of whom are headed for the bus terminus.

Source: TNN