By IANS,
New Delhi : A Reliance Infrastructure-led consortium that operates the Delhi Airport Metro Express Line will open its Dhaula Kuan and Aerocity stations for public from Monday, an official said.
With the opening of these two stations, the 23-km Airport Metro will run a full fledged service with all its six stations commercially operational.
Anil P. Gupta, president, Reliance Infrastructure, Sunday said: “We are happy to announce the opening of Dhaula Kuan and Aerocity stations on the Independence Day. With the opening of all six stations, Delhiites can now have freedom from daily road traffic and experience a safer, faster, reliable and eco-friendly mode of transport.”
He said that with all its six stations commercially operational, an increase in train frequency to 15 minutes in the morning peak hours and airline city check-in at three stations, they were continuously striving to increase the facilities and convenience for passengers.
On commuters’ request, the service frequency on the line was earlier increased from 20 minutes to 15 minutes between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Dhaula Kuan station has all the basic amenities and a check-in facility (without baggage) will also start soon.
Both New Delhi station and Shivaji Station (Connaught Place-Baba Kharak Singh Marg) already have the facility of airline check-in with baggage.
Besides normal commuters, the Dhaula Kuan station would also cater to the defence personnel from the Cantonment area and south Delhi college students.
It will connect a hub for inter-state buses from Rajasthan and Haryana at Dhaula Kuan to the New Delhi Railway Station and the airport.
The Aerocity station, near the airport and about seven km from Dhaula Kuan station, can be accessed by commuters coming from Vasant Kunj, Vasant Vihar and Mahipalpur.
Built at a cost of Rs.5,700 crore, the line has six stations — New Delhi Railway Station, Shivaji Stadium, Dhaula Kuan, Aerocity, Indira Gandhi International Airport and Dwarka Sector-21.
Delhi Metro was responsible for the civil work on the line and Reliance Infrastructure would operate the line for 30 years and share the revenues.
“To celebrate the opening of two stations and the spirit of Independence Day, personnel from the armed forces and freedom fighters will be given free journey tickets and all other passengers will get souvenirs from these two stations Aug 15,” said Lalit Jalan, CEO, Reliance Infrastructure.