PM Modi to Inaugurate Delhi Metro’s Magenta Line on Christmas Day

Kalkaji Mandir-Botanical Garden line of the Delhi Metro will reduce travel time between Noida and south Delhi. Image used for representational purposes.

(Photo: The Quint)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Magenta Line of the Delhi Metro on Christmas Day, 25 December, the DMRC said.

The Kalkaji Mandir-Botanical Garden line of the Delhi Metro will reduce travel time between Noida and south Delhi.

The 12.64-km section, part of the metro's upcoming Botanical Garden-Janakpuri West (Magenta) Line, was granted safety approval by the Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) last month.

Metro's new generation trains, which can run without drivers, will run on this section where an advanced Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling technology that will facilitate movement of trains with a frequency of 90 to 100 seconds will also be pressed into service.

However, for an initial period of two-three years, the trains will have drivers.

Currently, for travelling to south Delhi areas, commuters from Noida have to change trains, from Blue Line to Violet Line, at Mandi House Metro Station.

After the new section of the Delhi Metro is opened, commuters will be able to travel directly to Kalkaji Mandir Metro Station, which is on the Violet Line, cutting travel time by about 45 minutes.

New Stations May Increase Congestion For Motorists

However, even as it will save a lot of time for metro commuters, the opening of the Magenta line might result in congestion outside three metro stations – Kalindi Kunj, Okhla Bird Sanctuary and Botanical Garden.

According to a report by Hindustan Times, traffic inspector with the Noida traffic police Layak Singh said as more people would travel to the new metro stations, it might slow down the traffic and cause inconvenience to motorists on the road.

The report also states that the Noida traffic police would take preventive measures to ensure ease of commuting for the motorists.

Singh, reportedly, added that traffic marshals and constables would be deployed outside the metro stations to ensure the smooth flow of traffic.

Once the entire corridor from Botanical Garden till Janakpuri West (38.23 km) is opened, commuters from Noida will be able to go to Gurgaon by changing trains at Hauz Khas.

The Magenta line has 25 stations and has planned interchanges with the Yellow, Blue, and the Violet lines of the Delhi Metro network. It will provide direct connectivity to Terminal 1D of Indira Gandhi International Airport.

(This story has been updated to reflect the date of the inauguration)

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