New Delhi: Delhi Metro’s Airport Express line, which connects the centre of the city to the Indira Gandhi International Airport, will now be extended till Dwarka Sector-25.
With the extension, commuters will be able to travel between New Delhi and the upcoming Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre in Dwarka Sector-25 within 25 minutes.
The Centre has been planned and is being constructed on the lines of ITPO and Indian Habitat Centre.
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), after receiving an in-principle nod from the Centre, has already conducted the feasibility study for the extension.
The entire stretch will have a twin box tunnel and the underground station, namely Exhibition-cum-Convention Center Metro station (ECC), is expected to have footfall of 10,000 people daily.
The DMRC worked out the budget and allotted Rs 310 crore for the design and construction of the twin tunnel by cut-and-cover method and architectural finishing of an underground Metro station.
The Corporation has given 30 months to complete the project.
The ECC, which will be able to host 5,000 to 10,000 delegates, will be around 15 minutes away from the international airport here, in close proximity to mixed use and entertainment district, with hotels available on site and within short distances.
“DMRC, after receiving an in-principle nod from the Centre, has already conducted the feasibility study for the extension,” said an official.
A source at DMRC informed that the Centre had written to the Corporation for the extension of the Airport Express Line till Dwarka sector-25, following which the feasibility survey for the same has already been conducted.
The Airport Metro corridor, at present, connects New Delhi area to the international terminal of the IGI Airport and terminates at Dwarka Sector-21.
The western part of the city does not have any such convention centre at present to organise exhibitions and seminars.
“In a bid to facilitate smooth commute of people to the fairs, events or seminars organised at the upcoming convention centre, the Union government wanted the high-speed corridor to be extended till Sector-25 Dwarka,” said the sources at DMRC.
He also added that the Airport Line extension route will help in enhancing the ridership of the airport line corridor.
The work will begin as soon as the necessary approvals are granted.
The Airport Express Line comprises six Metro stations including New Delhi, Shivaji Stadium, Dhaula Kuan, Aerocity, Terminal 3 and Dwarka Sector-21. The line has already crossed the benchmark of 50,000 commuters.
Source: millennium post