Delhi Metro gearing up for Commonwealth Games

Delhi Metro is all set to handle additional rush of commuters during the Commonwealth Games. In an effort to decongest the network and ensure efficient service, it will run trains at an average frequency of 2.5 minutes. The DMRC has also flown in expert teams of engineers from Germany and South Korea to attend to any technical snags during the Games.

DMRC Managing Director E Sreedharan said: “The Games is a matter of national pride and we will ensure smooth services. We are fully geared up to meet the requirements during the event and wish to see that every visitor who comes to Delhi and takes a ride on the Metro goes back with pleasant memories.” Launching a new interactive official website, he added: “We expect heavy pressure on Delhi Metro during the Games as it is an important public transport system in the Capital. We will place all 181 trains of the Metro fleet on the tracks during the event.”

With all the 11 prominent Games venues connected by Metro and a huge rush expected during the event, the entire fleet of 181 trains — 133 broad gauge and 48 standard gauge — will be pressed into service with trains running at an average frequency of 2.5 minutes. At present, the frequency is 3.5 to 4 minutes. Central Secretariat to Badarpur corridor will have the highest frequency as it connects the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the venue of the opening and closing ceremonies.

In an effort to promptly attend to technical glitches, experts are being flown in specifically for the Games.

“The problems occur either on Over Head Electrification (OHE), or on trains or due to signalling problems. We will deploy special technicians from Germany and Korea across the network,” Sreedharan said. “That apart all stations will have information desks to help commuters and give information related to Metro services and the Games.”

The DMRC, which is in the process of revamping the signalling and OHE systems for the Games, has also launched a campaign to keep the stations clean. The station premises have been given out to the Organising Committee to conduct promotional activities for the Games at no extra cost, Sreedharan said.

Sreedharan said the last two upcoming lines of Phase II — Central Secretariat to Badarpur and Airport Metro Express Line — will meet its Games deadline and will be thrown open to the public by September 30.

Airline baggage check-in at Metro stations

Once the Airport Express Line of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) becomes operational, passengers heading for the airport will be able to check-in their luggage at the Metro stations.

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has given its approval in this regard. The bureau is yet to agree to a request by the DMRC authorities, to also allow passenger check- in at Metro stations.

According to sources, air passengers boarding at Metro stations will be issued a special tag using which they can trace their luggage at the airport.

Every luggage will be screened twice-once at the Metro station and then at the airport. If anything suspicious is found, the passenger concerned can be traced through the special tag," a BCAS official said.

The decision was taken at a recent meeting attended by senior officials from the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), BCAS, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), DMRC and various airlines.

The BCAS had been objecting to the proposal for a long time. According to sources, the bureau's major concern was ensuring that no one had access to the luggage after the check- in. "The luggage will be carried in a separate container.

After unloading at the airport, it will go through a five-level baggage checking system," an official said.

The Airport Express Line is scheduled to open in September, a month before the Commonwealth Games.

The BCAS had felt that the direct check-in plan, especially during the Games when the security threat is high, doesn't provide foolproof safety to passengers or baggage.

The passenger check-in was proposed at three stations-New Delhi, Shivaji Stadium and Dhaula Kuan. But baggage check-in will be allowed only at the New Delhi and Shivaji Stadium stations. In fact, these two stations will almost be like a mini airport terminal.

"Only the infrastructure is being readied by the DMRC. But the rest of the work-be it signalling, telecom or tracklaying - will be handled by Reliance Energy and Spanish company CAF. Even the fare on this line will be decided by Reliance," a DMRC official said.

In a bid to reduce airlines' woes, DIAL is planning to introduce a Common User Terminal Equipment (CUTE). "This will help passengers get their boarding passes automatically. Airlines need not set up separate counters at Metro stations," a DIAL official said.

The Shivaji Stadium Metro station is more than thrice the size of a usual one.

For reducing chaos between those moving in and out, this station will also be equipped with segregated arrival and departure areas.