NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): The Airport Express Line of the Delhi Metro would probably acquire a new station by the end of the month. This would be the seventh station on this line and the first extension since, it was initially opened on February 23, 2011.
The officials added that currently, trials are being done on the 2-Kilometre section between the current Dwarka Sector 21 Station and the new IICC Station. The India International Convention Centre (IICC) Metro Station in Dwarka’s Sector 25 is scheduled to open at a yet-to-be-determined date.
“The station is likely to become operational by next month. A date is yet to be ascertained, however, it is believed that this stretch will be ready next month,” said a Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) official.
All signalling systems are being tested during trial runs on this 2 Km length which began in June, 22 to make sure there are no glitches occurring when the station is put into service. Before it can be officially opened, it must pass necessary inspections by a number of approving bodies, including the CMRS after the trial runs are finished.
Anuj Dayal, Principal Executive Director, Corporate Communications at DMRC confirmed trial runs on the 2 Km stretch were progressing as per plans. “All necessary statutory clearances mandatory for opening of the section are being obtained after which the CMRS (Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety) will be invited for inspection. We are hopeful of opening the section after all these clearances are received,” he said.
The IICC is being built to be the biggest exhibition and convention centre in India. This facility which is now being built, will have modern amenities including convention centres, auditoriums, hotels, office spaces, etc. The IICC Metro Station will serve this new centre, with special entry-exit points leading directly to the metro station as stated by DMRC.
The metro station is underground and has been built at a depth of about 17m. It has seven entry and exit points. Fourteen escalators and four lifts with each lift having a carrying capacity of twenty passengers have been installed. “In the earlier stations, the lifts had a capacity of either 13 or 8 persons,” an official said.
