Kalkaji-Botanical Garden metro corridor set to be launched

NEW DELHI: The Kalkaji Mandir - Botanical Garden corridor of the Delhi Metro, which will reduce travel time between Noida and south Delhi, is set to be launched, authorities said today.
The trials and testing on the 12.64-kilometre long section, built under the Phase-III project, has been successfully completed and it is ready for the Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety's (CMRS) mandatory inspection.

This section will also be the metro's first-ever corridor to be operated using the Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling technology which will facilitate the movement of the trains with a frequency of 90 to 100 seconds.

Currently, for travelling to south Delhi areas, people from Noida have to change trains at the Mandi House (from Blue Line to Violet Line).

However, with this new section, they will be able to travel directly to the Kalkaji Mandir, which is on Violet Line and save on valuable travelling time.

Once the entire corridor from the Botanical Garden till Janakpuri West (38.23-km) is opened, commuters from Noida will be able to go to Gurgaon by changing trains at Hauz Khas.

The Botanical Garden has been developed as the metro's first-ever interchange station outside the boundaries of Delhi.

"The papers for scrutiny and detailed examination by the CMRS are under submission to his office and after these are cross-checked, examined and scrutinised in depth by the office of the CMRS, further action is expected," a metro statement said.

"In addition, since the application involves voluminous data of civil, electrical, signalling and track, the DMRC may also have to supply any additional information further sought by the office of the CMRS. After this entire process, it is expected that a suitable date for inspection of the section will be indicated," it said.