Delhi Metro to provide real-time update on waiting time at high footfall stations

In a first, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will provide real-time average waiting time at selected busy stations during morning and evening peak hours, in case the waiting time goes beyond 20 minutes.

  • Starting from tomorrow, i.e, 12th November, 2020, the official social media pages/handles of DMRC will post updates on the average waiting time at ten stations during peak hours in the morning (8:30 AM to 10:30 AM) and evening (5:30 PM to 7:30 PM). This initiative is aimed at helping commuters plan their journey effectively so as to avoid long queues at entry/exit.
  • Following stations are being covered under this initiative:-
    • Chandni Chowk
    • Chawri Bazaar
    • Patel Chowk
    • Rajiv Chowk
    • Central Secretariat
    • Huda City Centre
    • Lal Quila
    • Barakhambha Road
    • JLN Stadium
    • Saket
  • The operations staff deployed at these stations will continuously monitor the crowd at these stations during peak hours and assess the waiting time. 
  • The same will further be informed to commuters if it goes beyond 20 minutes, through official social media handles/pages of DMRC. 
  • In case of any fluctuations in traffic/crowd, the waiting time will be modified accordingly and will be also informed subsequently.
  • The selection of these stations and the timings for providing updates has been done on the basis of traffic observed during peak hours. 
  • This is being started on an experimental basis and will be considered for implementation on more stations,if required, on the basis of the feedback received from the commuters.
  • Presently, commuters are being permitted into Metro stations only after adhering to prescribed Covid related norms. 
  • The number of passengers in the trains has also been restricted to ensure social distancing.
  • DMRC has also advised commuters to keep at least 15-20 minutes extra time for their travel owing to new travel protocols in place which were implemented when the Metro services resumed from 7th September 2020 onwards.

Recent Achievement:

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on 3rd November, 2020 achieved yet another major milestone in its Phase 4 work by erecting the first ever U-Girder of Phase 4 on the Janakpuri West – R.K Ashram Marg corridor.

  • The U-Girder, an important component of the elevated viaducts constructed for Metro corridors, was erected near the Kali Mata Temple between the upcoming Pushpanjali and Deepali Chowk Metro stations along the Outer Ring Road.
  • This is a standard span with twin U-Girders of 28 metres length each in one span and the total weight of one U-Girder is approximately 160 MT.
  • This is a major milestone for DMRC, as despite several constraints due to the ongoing pandemic, this important component of the construction work could be started.
  • The casting of the U-Girders was started at the designated casting yard in Mundka in June earlier this year.
  • Metro projects across the world are extensively using U-Girders, which saves time in construction besides ensuring better quality.
  • After casting, these girders are brought to the site and launched with the help of high capacity cranes/ launchers.
  • A total of 780 such U-Girders are planned to be erected in this contract.

About U-Girder:

U-Girders are precast pre-tensioned, U-shaped girders on which track laying can be done immediately.  The casting work of these U-Girders also requires meticulous precision and planning. Absolute care has to be taken regarding the maintenance of all measurements and technical parameters during the casting process.

  • The 28.92 km long Janakpuri West – R.K Ashram Marg corridor is an extension of Magenta Line and will come up with 22 stations. 
  • Construction work on this particular section had started in December last year.
  • Despite issues such as unavailability of adequate labour force, DMRC is moving ahead with the construction work of all the three corridors approved so far as part of Delhi Metro’s Phase 4. 
  • Under this phase, 65.10 kilometres of new Metro lines shall be constructed across three different corridors comprising of 46 Metro stations. 
  • These new sections shall provide interconnectivity among the already operational sections of Delhi Metro. 

Source: DMRC-Press Release | Image Credit: DMRC