Trial at Kalkaji Mandir – Botanical Garden section goes off smoothly

NEW DELHI: Delhi Metro's Kalkaji Mandir-Botanical Garden line is ready for commissioning, after the trials and testing on the 12.64 km long section of Phase-III was completed on Thursday.

The mandatory clearance required for inviting the Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) to inspect fire safety clearance, licence for working lifts, preliminary Independent Safety Assessment (ISA) reports for signalling and clearance for platform screen doors from the Department of Telecommunications among others have been received by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).

"The papers for scrutiny and detailed examination by CMRS are under submission to his office and after these are examined in depth by CMRS office, further action is expected," said a DMRC official.

The official added that since the application involves voluminous data on civil and electrical works, signalling and tracks, DMRC may also have to supply any

additional information sought by

CMRS office.

"After this entire process, it is expected that a suitable date for inspection of the section will be indicated," he added.

This section will be Delhi Metro's first ever corridor to be operated using the communication-based train control (CBTC) signalling technology, which will facilitate movement of trains with a frequency of 90 to 100 seconds.

With the opening of this section, commuters from Noida will get additional connectivity to south Delhi.

Currently, for travelling to south Delhi areas, Noida residents have to change trains at Mandi House (from Blue Line to Violet Line). However, with the new section, they will be able to travel directly to Kalkaji Mandir and save on valuable travelling time.

Botanical Garden has been developed as NCR's first ever interchange station. Once the 38.23 km long corridor from Botanical Garden till Janakpuri West (38.23 kms) is opened, commuters from Noida will be able to travel to Gurugram by changing trains at Hauz Khas.

This will help immensely in decongesting Rajiv Chowk, which is currently the interchange point for travellers between Noida and Gurugram.

The Botanical Garden–Kalkaji Mandir section has nine stations, namely Kalkaji Mandir, Okhla NSIC, Sukhdev Vihar, Jamia Milia Islamia, Okhla Vihar, Jasola Vihar Shaheen Bagh, Kalindi Kunj, Okhla Bird Sanctuary and Botanical Garden.

While Kalkaji Mandir is an underground station, all other stations are elevated. The section will also cater to two major educational institutions, Jamia Milia Islamia University and Amity University, and a major super speciality hospital, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute.