Walking down 'the Heritage line'

As a recent extension of the Violet Line (ITO-Escorts Mujesar), the Delhi Metro 'Heritage Line' comprises four stations – Delhi Gate, Jama Masjid, Lal Quila, and Kashmere Gate. The line traverses the breadth of Old Delhi, making it easier to access heritage delights tucked inside the narrow lanes of the densely populated walled city.

All four metro stations on the heritage line have borrowed accents and design elements from the monuments they are named after. So, while Delhi Gate station is adorned with panels that depict the history of Delhi Gate, the interiors of Jama Masjid station is accented with art installations depicting photos of Jama Masjid, Sri Digambar Jain Lal Temple, and St Stephen's church.

In similar fashion, the facade of Lal Quila station resembles Red Fort and is adorned with red sandstone. The interior of the station is decked up with old and new photos of various parts of Red Fort. Kashmere Gate station offers a rare glimpse into Delhi during and after 1857 as it puts on display some iconic photographs, like the gate being blown down by the British, and the interiors of the St. James church.

These art installations that dot the stations along the Heritage Line have been conceptualised by Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH). While some of these installations are pretty striking, there are a few that are mundane and only seem to be covering up wall space.

The DMRC has installed what it calls 'Dream Gates' at two stations of the 'Heritage Line'. Though I did not get to see these gates, I've read that these 'Dream Gates' (Automatic Fare Collection gates) installed at Lal Quila and Jama Masjid stations allow commuters to buy tickets via Paytm and scan a QR code to enter and exit the stations. How convenient this system is going to be during rush hours for the commuters and staff is an accident waiting to happen.

It was quite late in the evening when I took this route a couple of days ago, and relatively less number of commuters at that time of the day gave me a chance to admire the stations' design concepts at leisure.

With vintage photos of Old Delhi juxtaposed against swanky steel and granite interiors, the stations on the recently inaugurated Delhi Metro Heritage Line rate high on aesthetics.

These stations, all underground, are designed in accordance with the heritage of the area and showcase the surrounding precinct's striking history.