Delhi Metro’s ‘Unmanned’ Magenta Line to Have Many More Firsts

The new Magenta Line of the Delhi Metro will directly connect Kalkaji in south Delhi to Noida.

The new Magenta Line will connect Kalkaji in south Delhi to Noida.

(Photo: DMRC)

The new Magenta Line of the Delhi Metro that will directly connect Kalkaji in south Delhi to Noida, has many firsts to its credit, including platform screen doors (PSDs) and a hi-tech signalling technology for movement of trains, officials said on Friday.

The 12.64-km section – part of the upcoming Botanical Garden (Noida)-Janakpuri West (Delhi) corridor – has nine stations and is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 25 December.

"This Line will have many firsts to its credit. For the first time in India, trains will run unattended," DMRC chief spokesperson Anuj Dayal said.

New-age Communication Based Train Control signalling technology will be used to facilitate movement of trains with a frequency of 90 to 100 seconds. PSDs, installed to enhance commuter safety, are glass-made screens installed near the edge of platforms that open only when a train arrives and shut after it departs.

Anuj Dayal

Dayal was interacting with reporters after a preview of the corridor, ahead of its launch on Christmas. Initially, trains will operate with the frequency of five minutes and 14 seconds on this section, the DMRC said.

Kalkaji Mandir to Botanical Garden in 19 Mins

After the new section of the Delhi Metro is opened, commuters will be able to travel directly to the Kalkaji Mandir Metro Station from Botanical Garden in 19 minutes. The travel time in Blue and Violet Lines of the metro takes 52 minutes with interchange point at the Mandi House station.

"The new line would be officially launched by the Prime Minister in the afternoon at the newly-built Kalkaji Metro Station of the Magenta Line. From 5 pm it would be open to the public," Dayal said.

Accident Was Human Error: DMRC

Dayal and other DMRC officials also said that the recent accident at the Kalindi Kunj Metro depot was purely a "human error" during maintenance, and there was no reason to worry. Metro's new generation trains, which can run without drivers, will run on this section aided by the CBTC signalling technology.

The trains would essentially be driverless, but there would be roving attendants. We would keep this mechanism say for a year or two.

A senior DMRC official, who was present at the interaction, said, "passengers safety is our utmost concern and it has been taken care of on this line".

The old Kalkaji Mandir station is part of the Violet Line (Kahmere Gate-Escorts Mujesar) and the old Botanical Garden is part of the Blue Line (Dwarka-Noida City Centre).

The Botanical Garden has been developed as the metro’s first-ever inter-change station outside the boundaries of Delhi.

Dayal said the new line would also prove economical for commuters, besides saving time.

"The 28-km stretch between the Kalkaji Mandir and Botanical Garden costs Rs 50. Now, with direct connectivity, the ride has been reduced to 12 km, costing Rs 30," he said.

The DMRC authorities said that 10 trains would operate on this new line, while two would be kept on reserve.

Magenta Line Train Derailed During Trial

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation suspended four employees on Wednesday, 20 December, including the officer in-charge of Kalindi Kunj depot, after an empty Metro train on the Magenta Line derailed and rammed into a wall, during a trial run the day before.

This unfortunate incident comes a day after DMRC announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be inaugurating the magenta line connecting Kalkaji Mandir and Botanical Garden line on Christmas Day.

Watch the incident below:

(Breathe In, Breathe Out: Are you finding it tough to breathe polluted air? Join hands with FIT in partnership with #MyRightToBreathe to find a solution to pollution. Send in your suggestions to [e-mail] or WhatsApp @ [phone])