Next on Metro track: All eyes on Anand Vihar line

The 6.17-km stretch from Yamuna Bank to Anand Vihar is an extension of Line 3 (Dwarka Sector 9 to Yamuna Bank). Like the Noida Metro corridor,this too will branch out from Yamuna Bank that will serve as the interchange station for both lines.

The DMRC countdown clock shows the deadline inching closer,with 33 days to go for the commissioning of the line,while officials engaged on this section are content at having completed all civil work.

“The civil work has been completed; now,track-laying and signalling work are being done. This is the final stage for commissioning any line,” a DMRC official said.

“Finishing touches are being given to the stations and most of them are nearly ready.”

The line is expected to meet the deadline,after the DMRC Managing Director E Sreedharan inspected the line late last month and found the work on track,sources in DMRC said. If all goes well,trial runs of trains will begin by the first week of December.

The entirely elevated line will have five stations — Laxmi Nagar,Nirman Vihar,Preet Vihar,Karkardooma and Anand Vihar ISBT.

According to the detailed project report prepared in 2004,the daily projected traffic between the two terminals of Yamuna Bank to Anand Vihar is expected to be around 1,03,450 per day. The passenger load on this stretch is expected to exceed the estimates of even the Noida corridor,which,despite being twice the length at 13.1 km,is expected to carry only 53,000 passengers per day.

Metro officials said plans are afoot to extend the Anand Vihar corridor to Kaushambi and Vaishali,reaching another city in the NCR,Ghaziabad.

The 2-km stretch extension will,however,be complete only by September next year,before the Commonwealth Games.

The highlight of this line will the integration of the Anand Vihar Metro station,the upcoming railway station and the ISBT through foot overbridges,which are being given final touches by the DMRC. The integration is expected to ease the pressure of traffic congestion and provide seamless travel to commuters.

The elevated Metro station leads down to the ISBT on the same side of the road while a foot overbridge will connect the two to the railway station on the opposite side.

The Karkardooma Metro station too will be a highlight on the line,with property development being planned for the five-level station there.

Rush hour: Metro riders a hassled lot
I have missed two trains due to the rush. Trains are coming in late as well.
Sahil Malhi
Travelling from CP to Janakpuri

Since bus and Metro fares are somewhat similar,people are opting for the Metro. A bus ticket is priced at 15,so one would prefer travelling by the Metro for Rs 20.
Deepankar Brihaspa
Commuting to Rajouri Garden on the Dwarka line

The Metro is no longer reliable. There are times the train runs at a snail’s pace and it comes to an abrupt halt several times. It now feels like a Blueline bus,the only difference is the air-conditioning.
Devika
Travelling to Uttam Nagar on the Dwarka line

Sheila Dikshit should travel in a Metro train and see this for herself. There are no separate queues for senior citizens at the ticket counters .
Sharda Singh