Delhi Metro’s airport line likely to begin in 15 days
By IANSFriday, December 24, 2010
NEW DELHI - The much-awaited Airport Express Line of Delhi Metro is likely to be operational in the next 15 days, its managing director E. Sreedharan said Friday.
He said the work on the 22-km Airport Express line was complete and operations could begin in 24 hours. But the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) was waiting for the safety clearance certificate from the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS).
The Metro corridor connects the city’s shopping hub Connaught Place with the international airport.
“There is no problem on the Airport Express line, we are waiting for the CMRS to inspect the line. He (CMRS R.K. Kardam) was on long leave and now he has come back. If he gives the green signal, the line will be operational,” Sreedharan told reporters in an informal interaction on the eighth anniversary of DMRC’s operations.
He said that the trial runs on the Airport Express Line have been successful and he is satisfied with the work.
“I am happy with the AEL corridor, I took a ride on the train which runs at a speed of 120 km per hour,” he said.
Asked about the airlines’ reluctance to set up check-in counters at the Metro stations, Sreedharan said Air India has assured to set up counters and “if Air India comes, we hope other airlines would follow”.
He said: “Along with AEL, a small stretch between Sarita Vihar and Badarpur which is yet to be operational will also be opened in the next 10-15 days.”
Both the lines missed the Commonwealth Games deadline and the AEL corridor failed a safety test in September.
