Delhi Metro’s airport line likely to open next week: Official
By IANSFriday, January 7, 2011
NEW DELHI - Delhi Metro’s high-speed Airport Express Line underwent a second safety check Friday and the corridor is expected to begin operations by next week, said an official of Reliance Infrastructure, which has built the network.
“The commissioner in charge of Metro rail safety has started a two-day inspection of the corridor. We hope we get the safety clearance certificate tomorrow. Once it is obtained, we will need less than a week to open the line for public,” the official said Friday.
“In all probability, the line should start next week.”
The 23-km link will connect the central shopping district of Connaught Place with the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. It promises to take commuters from New Delhi Railway Station to the airport in 18 minutes.
The line has six stations — New Delhi Railway Station, Shivaji Stadium, Dhaula Kuan, Delhi Aero City, Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport and Dwarka Sec-21. The idea was also for setting up check-in facilities of airlines at the Metro stations.
The Reliance official said an Air India team recently conducted a technical inspection at the stations and was happy with the facilities. The flag carrier is likely to sign an agreement to set up its check-in counters soon, the official added.
“Air India has already given us a verbal assurance. We are also negotiating with other airlines for their check-in counters.”
