Fully functional Pink Line to ease travel woes of shoppers

New Delhi: The South Campus-Lajpat Nagar section of the Delhi Metro's Pink Line, which is expected to open soon, is all set to emerge as a "corridor for shoppers" as four major markets of the city will be connected on one stretch of the network that will also cut travel time for commuters by up to 20 minutes.

According to an official of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), "With the commencement of this section, the total Metro network of the Capital will become 296 km, with 214 stations, and with the commencement of this section, the entire stretch from Majlis Park to Lajpat Nagar will become 29.66-km long."

"The mandatory nod from the Commission of Railway Safety was received (on Thursday), subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions and stipulations. Operations will soon begin on the stretch, but the exact date has not been decided yet," Executive Director, Corporate Communications at DMRC, Anuj Dayal said on Friday.

The new stations are - Sir Vishveshwariah Moti Bagh, Bhikhaji Cama Place, Sarojini Nagar, INA, South Extension and Lajpat Nagar. Only Sir Vishveshariah Moti Bagh station is elevated, and the rest all are underground.

"This segment will connect four major markets at - Sarojini Nagar, INA, South Extension and Lajpat Nagar (Central Market). So, it will be like a corridor for shoppers," Dayal said.

The fully opened Pink Line will reduce travel time from INA to Rajouri Garden from 40 minutes to 23 minutes, Lajpat Nagar to Rajouri Garden stations from 45 to 28 minutes, and Lajpat Nagar to Netaji Subhas Place (Red Line) from 47 minutes to 39 minutes, he said.

Till now, Sarojini Nagar and South Extension markets did not have Metro connectivity. Though these locations are well connected by buses, parking continues to be a major hassle for the shoppers.

Lajpat Nagar, currently a station only on the Violet Line, has a bustling central market in its vicinity, and DMRC expects a jump in the station's footfall, once the new station on Pink Line is operational.

Shoppers and regular commuters travelling to INA Market (neighbours Delhi Haat), Sarojini Nagar Market and South Extension Market areas will also save time once the stretch becomes operational.

The new stations have been tastefully decorated, especially INA, Sarojini Nagar, Sir Vishveshwariah Moti Bagh and Lajpat Nagar.

"We have used LED lights at regular intervals, instead of focus lights to illuminate the artworks encased in double layering of toughened glass that will help save 5 KW per hour," Dayal said.

The first corridor of the Pink Line, from Majlis Park to South Campus was opened on March 14, connecting the north and south campuses of the Delhi University.