Delhi Metro update

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has finalized the alignment and station locations of the extension of the Central Secretariat-Badarpur line. The station locations – placed underground weaving through a populated stretch — have been put at gaps of approximately 2km, and will be catering to the largely office and commercial hubs of Bahadurshah Zafar Marg, Daryaganj and Kashmere Gate. The six stations include Janpath, Mandi House, ITO, Delhi Gate, Jama Masjid and Lal Quila. The DMRC has already floated the tenders for building the Mandi House station – which will be extended to become an interchange station — while the location of the other four stations has now been finalized. “Geographical survey is still on although the station locations are decided. We are yet to freeze the entry and exit points of these stations,” said a senior DMRC official. The location of the ITO station has been fixed to come up under the post office on Bahadurshah Zafar Marg. The underground station, which will be built under the main road, will have to be designed around the existing subway. DMRC officials said the details were being worked out. The other station, Delhi Gate, will be coming up under the curve before the traffic signal on the left turn to LNJP Hospital on Bahadurshah Zafar Marg. The station in Jama Masjid will come up underground in front of the mosque, along Daryaganj, while the Lal Quila station will be built right under the crossing in front of the fort. This line will go on to join the Kashmere Gate metro station, which will be turned into an interchanging station once the line becomes operational. In fact, the station will be integrated with the renovated ISBT, said DMRC officials. The extension of line 6 — Badarpur to Central Secretariat — could well be one of the more challenging projects of the DMRC. The line, which will be extended from Central Secretariat to Kashmere Gate, will have six stations going through some of the most populated and sensitive areas in the city. These are places that not only see heavy traffic but also house protected monuments, besides being extremely populated, admit officials. The line is expected to ease traffic considerably along this stretch, says DMRC. “The minute details are being worked out. Some changes may take place, for instance in the entry/exit points, but the location of the stations will remain the same. The entire project will take off this year,” said an official.