Metro rail speeds silently along Yamuna8217;s banks

NEW DELHI, April 15: Rows of neatly lined bright orange trucks, visible from the ISBT flyover, are the only sign of a major upheaval. It ...

NEW DELHI, April 15: Rows of neatly lined bright orange trucks, visible from the ISBT flyover, are the only sign of a major upheaval. It is only when one starts going down towards the Yamuna west bank near Shastri Park that one notices the men and machines 8212; unobtrusively but efficiently 8212; working on the Delhi Metro Rail Project.

The first section of the metro, which will link the eight kilometre stretch from Shahadara to Tis Hazari, will be operational by March 2002. This section, which will have the heaviest ridership of 9 lakh commuters everyday, will have six stations 8212; Shahdara, Seelampur, Gautampur, Shastri Park, ISBT and Tis Hazari enroute.

Construction activity is in full swing on the banks of the Yamuna, where the new metro bridge is coming up. Work on the sinking of wells pillars in the ground, which will be as high as a 13-storey building, has already started. These wells are the foundation on which the joint-free bridge will be constructed. Two quality control labs have also been set up at the site.

Interestingly, the ground water in the area, which is being used to mix concrete, is safe for drinking but not for construction. According to V.K. Singh, Deputy Chief Engineer: 8220;The water contains salts which would eventually rust the iron that we are using, so we are mixing hydrochloric acid to treat the water.8221;

Work is also on at a furious pace at the Inter-State Bus Terminus ISBT, which will have two metro stations one underground and one elevated. This is being done as there will be two rail corridors running through the bus terminus. The one leading to Tis Hazari will be elevated and the other leading to Delhi University will be underground. Giving details, S.K. Gupta, Deputy Chief Engineer, said: 8220;There will be massive traffic integration here because apart from the passengers coming to ISBT, there will be two metro stations as well. We have dismantled the dhaba block and also acquired adjoining land to provide parking facilities.8221;

The Public Works Department PWD has also started road widening work on the Boulevard Road. This is being done so that the width of the road remains the same even after the piers, on which the elevated structure for the track will be supported, are constructed.

According to Anuj Dayal, spokesperson, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation: 8220;Apart from the road signs, there is no indication anywhere that work on such a major project has been going on for more than six months. We have tried to cause the minimum inconvenience possible to the commuters. However, we are very happy with the pace of work and we shall definitely finish on time.8221;

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During peak hours, trains are planned to run at three-minute intervals and the ticket, for a distance of 7.5 km, is expected to cost around Rs 8. The train coaches to be used on the metro will be the most modern, reliable and energy-efficient. They will also reduce both noise and air pollution in the city. According to estimates, there will be 3,500 less buses on the roads by the time the entire phase is completed.

The entire 55.3 km-long first phase of the project, which will cost Rs 550 crore, consists of three routes 8212; Shahdara to Nangloi, Vishwavidyalaya to Central Secretariat and Pulbangash to Holambikalan 8212; which will be ready for operation by March, 2005.