17 June,2011 07:51 AM IST | | Anurag Jadli
DMRC starts night trial runs on Anand Vihar-Vaishali corridor ahead of opening next month; opening date not announced yet
Delhi's satellite city Ghaziabad is just a step away from getting Metro connectivity with the Delhi Metro launching trial runs on the Anand Vihar-Vaishali corridor on Thursday ahead of its possible opening next month.
DMRC officials at the trial run of Vaishali corridor Pic/MiD DAYu00a0
The construction work of the 2.57 kilometre long stretch has been completed and finishing touches are being given currently. Night trial runs on the corridor have also started and CCTV cameras meant for the safety of the commuters have been installed and Metro staff has already been mobilised to manage the stations.
Delhi Metro chief E Sreedharan inspected the corridor on Thursday and expressed satisfaction over completion of work on the stretch and opening of the corridor, which will be integrated with the existing Dwarka Sec 21-Anand Vihar ISBT line.
This will benefit thousands of people in Ghaziabad and other neighbouring areas who travel to the national Capital for work everyday. With this, Ghaziabad will be the third satellite city in NCR to get connected with Metro after Noida and Gurgaon.
Anuj Dayal, DMRC spokesperson said: "Parking contracts would be finalised by the end of the month. While the Vaishali station will be able to accommodate approximately 110 cars and 140 two wheelers besides cycles, buses and autos, Kaushambi station will have space for about 74 cars and 130 two wheelers," he said.
These stations will also have integrated traffic management system where there will be dedicated parking bays for shuttle autos, buses, cars and rickshaws. The stations have been decorated with special art work for better aesthetic beauty. DMRC has also written to the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) to arrange for feeder buses to cater to the nearby residential areas of Vasundhara and Indira Puram.
Currently, residents of Ghaziabad have to come to Anand Vihar ISBT to board a metro. Ghaziabad Development Authority officials have said that the line will be opened to public on July 9, but there is no confirmation in this regard from the Delhi Metro.
During the inspection, Sreedharan travelled on the corridor on a train along with other senior officials and inspected the station structures as well as all other vital sections of the corridor. "The night trials began last night and from next week the trials may be extended to day hours. It is being done because it is an operational line," a DMRC spokesman said.
The spokesman said the Delhi Metro is currently in the process of preparing necessary documents for the mandatory inspection by the Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) and they will be sent shortly.
