The construction of new Metro stations in South Delhi seems to have hit a temporary roadblock. In a recent meeting, Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC) refused to approve seven of Delhi Metro’s upcoming stations on the Central Secretariat Line and asked DRMC to come back within three weeks with revisions which incorporate its observations. The deadline for completion of the stations is October, 2010.

The Commission also declined to scrutinise three other Delhi Metro stations at Karkardooma, Anand Vihar and Commonwealth Games Village because construction was at a much-advanced stage.

With work on the stations already underway, DMRC officials claimed their proposals had not been rejected by the Commission and the necessary approvals would come through on time. DMRC chief public relations officer Anuj Dayal said the Commission had made certain observations pertaining to pedestrian access and the exterior of the stations.

‘‘Facilities outside the Metro stations do not come under the purview of DMRC but the concerned civic agency. This is being communicated to DUAC. We have taken into consideration all the observations of the Commission. The outside design of Metro stations will be finalised in consultation with DUAC and we are ready to make changes,’’ said Dayal. DMRC officials added that the Central Secretariat Line was on schedule and would be completed on time.

For the Lajpat Nagar station, the Commission said the location of the bus stop on the BRT corridor with respect to the station’s entry was not clear. It also had reservations about the location of the staircase approach to the station.

In other Metro stations, the Commission said no attention had been paid to the architectural character. ‘‘The railings and windows need to be designed in a simple, clean design language,’’ said a Commission source. Parking is another concern and the Commission stated that little parking provisions had been made and parking for at least two wheelers and cycles should be provided.

DUAC has also asked DMRC to ensure access to the stations for the physically challenged was barrier free and toilets wherever provided, should also be barrier free for the physically challenged.

At the elevated Metro station at Nehru Place, the Commission found a mall had been proposed in the station building which was located in Astha Kunj, a district park. ‘‘The permissibility of commercial area in a Master Plan green space needs clarifications from DDA,’’ said DUAC members.

A few years ago, DMRC had changed the alignment of the elevated Metro line at Qutab, a part of the Central Secretariat-Gurgaon Line, because it faced stiff objections from ASI.

MISSING AESTHETICS
Project: Badarpur-Central Secretariat Line
Status: DUAC has asked Delhi Metro to come back with revised drawings of stations within three weeks

Metro stations not approved:

• Elevated station at Lajpat Nagar
• Station at Moolchand
• Elevated station at Kailash Colony
• Elevated station at Nehru Place
• Elevated station at Kalkaji
• Elevated station at Govindpuri
• Elevated station at Okhla
  

DUAC observations
It seems no attention has been paid to aesthetics of the stations. Railings and windows need a simple and clean design.Lack of parking. Parking for at least two-wheelers and cyclists should be provided at appropriate locations.

Additional transport infrastructure facilities including footpaths, cycle tracks, parking area and intermodal integration facilities need to be indicated.

DMRC needs to assess the number of people using Metro at various hours of the day for more effective traffic planning

Source: Times of India