26.12.17

PM inaugurates Delhi’s new Metro line

On Christmas day, Delhi Metro threw open the Magenta line, one of the most important pieces of its third phase that brings the Noida-south Delhi journey down to just 19 minutes.

The 12.64 km section that was opened has Botanical Garden and Kalkaji Mandir as the two terminal stations and it reduces travel time between South Delhi and Noida to nearly a third of what it previously took (52 minutes, via Mandi House).

Before Monday, commuters had to traverse 22 stations, including an interchange at Mandi House, to reach Kalkaji station from Botanical Garden. The shortened journey also means that commuters will be saving money — instead of Rs.50 via Mandi House, the Magenta line ride will cost Rs.30.

The line was inaugurated by the PM, who boarded the Metro from Botanical Garden station and travelled till the next station, Okhla Bird Sanctuary station, the only two stations that are in Noida. The seven other stations till Kalkaji Mandir are in Delhi.

The section was opened for commercial operations at 5 pm. Monday being a holiday, the new corridor mostly saw people flocking to the nearest station to get a first-hand experience of the ‘driverless’ trains.

Trains on the Magenta line are being operated using a new signalling technology — Communication Based Train Control, which allows unattended train operations —but drivers will be present in the trains for the next couple of years.

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