Delhi Metro's Anand Vihar trial run

The clock has started ticking again. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is going to start trial runs for its new stretch from Yamuna Bank to Anand Vihar this week. The commencement of trial runs, which marks the completion of construction, is an indication that the line will be opened to the public in two-three weeks. Even though DMRC has not fixed the opening date yet, sources maintained that December 23 was being considered, subject to all clearances coming in time. Another factor is the shortage of trains, which is leading to severe congestion on Line 3. Officials said at least seven trains were needed to start the new section. However, DMRC first wants to add trains to existing lines to reduce passenger rush and then start opening more lines. The 6.17km-long line, which is elevated along the busy Vikas Marg, is expected to ferry over one lakh commuters daily by 2012. The line is an extention of the operational Line 3 (Dwarka line), which branches out from Yamuna Bank station and crosses five stations to reach the Anand Vihar border, before continuing into Ghaziabad. The Anand Vihar line is expected to be a lifeline for residents of the area as it passes through the heavily built up Vikas Marg, with residential colonies and institutional areas. The main artery sees a traffic load of over 1.5 lakh vehicles daily and about 3.7km of the Metro line passes through these areas. For all these commuters, the new line comes as respite from traffic jams on the main road. To tackle the heavy pedestrian movement, all the elevated Metro stations will double up as foot-overbridges. Parking facilities are available at Karkardooma station and also at Anand Vihar. The Anand Vihar Metro station complex also houses a railway station and an ISBT for multi-modal integration. The daily load forecast for the Anand Vihar Metro station is almost 2.5 lakh commuters for 2011. DMRC has constructed two of the longest spans — 70m each — of Phase II over the Karkardooma flyover. The height of the platform over the station, on the third floor, is about 19m, making it the highest Delhi Metro platform once it becomes operational. The station has five floors — basement, ground, first floor, concourse and platform.