After several hiccups, Rapid Metro Phase II begins operations

The second phase of Rapid Metro finally became operational on Friday afternoon.

The second phase, also known as Rapid Metro–South Extension, took more than three years to be completed and faced numerous delays. An amount of over Rs 2,000 crore was spent on the construction of second phase.

There are over one lakh commuters who are likely to be benefitted from the services, which will cater to the transportation needs of the commercial centres as well as residential societies in the Millennium City.

With Gurugram reeling under the effects of severe pollution, it is estimated that the extension of Rapid Metro services will take out more than 60,000 vehicles off the city roads.

Rapid Metro–South extension will cover a total distance of 6.3 km and will pass through five stations, namely Phase-1, Sector 42- 43, Sector 53-54, Sector 54 Chowk and Sector 55-56.

Seven fully automated trains, with a frequency of four minutes during peak hours, will run between Sikanderpur and Sector 55-56 station.

The Rapid Metro–South Extension will be open for commuters from 06.00 am to 12.36 am. The promotional fare for the second phase has been fixed at Rs 20 for commuters travelling from Sikanderpur to any of the five stations.

Rs 35 will be charged from commuters travelling from Sector 53-54, Sector 54 Chowk and Sector 55-56 to Belvedere Towers, Cyber City, Moulsari and Phase 3 stations.

With the advent of the second phase, the entire coverage of Rapid Metro Gurugram is now 11.7 km, with 12 trains and 11 stations.

"The extension of Rapid Metro is an endeavour to provide world class, safe and convenient mode of transportation for residents of Gurugram. With increasing traffic and pollution levels, use of mass transit system is the need of the hour and with the commencement of Rapid Metro–SouthExtension, our commuters will look forward to continued convenient services and better infrastructure," said Rajiv Banga, MD, Rapid Metro.

Even as the extension of Rapid Metro aims to reduce the traffic challenges in the city, key challenges to the project still remain. Initially, Rapid Metro Phase-II will only cover Phase-1 and Sector 54 Chowk station. The remaining stations at Sector 42-43 and Sector 53-54 stations and the parking facilities are yet to open.

The charges of Rapid Metro are also higher than that of shared autos and private buses operating in the area.

However, despite such challenges, most Gurugram residents expressed their satisfaction over the completion of Rapid Metro second phase.

"The coming of Rapid Metro at Golf Course Road is a boon for many residents. Though a lot needs to be done in improving the public transportation of Gurugram, the coming of Rapid Metro is a major step towards reforming the public transportation system in the city," said Amardeep Singh resident of DLF Phase-I.