Metro train (symbolic photo)
Delhi Metro, the country’s largest metro rail network, will now also start operating the country’s smallest metro. In a statement issued by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), it has been told that the metro service of Lajpat Nagar-Saket Ji Block Three Coaches will be started. This will be the first metro train in India, with only three coaches. At present, metro service is being operated with four, six or eight coaches in different cities of the country.
DMRC officials said in a statement on Sunday that it is part of the fourth phase of the Delhi Metro project. The corridor will extend to eight kilometers and will be the second smallest corridor in the DMRC network. The purpose of this line is to increase connectivity to the interiors of the city and ensure interchange without any hassle with the existing corridor. The 3-coach trains have been developed especially for a short distance urban journey.
Emphasis on short distance journey and connectivity
DMRC said that this decision has been taken based on the actual assessment of the needs of the passengers. There is a need to run long distance trains on the route where there is a high number of passengers. These trains also have a higher number of coaches, but the Lajpat Nagar-Saket section mainly provides services to short distance passengers, which require continuous metro service, but the number of passengers is limited. The DMRC stated that the corridor’s estimated peak and peak direction traffic (PhPDT) would allow comfortable traffic without the need for greater capacity.
Metro will run between eight stations
The three -coach system aims to ensure economic stability by maintaining high quality urban standards. Each coach will have the capacity of about 300 passengers to sit and stand, which will lead to the total capacity of a three -coach train to about 900 passengers. The statement said that the corridor will have eight strategic stations from Lajpat Nagar to Saket Ji block to improve access to major residential and commercial areas.
Operations will start by 2028
The station platform is designed with a length of 74 meters, adapted for three coach train operations. A DMRC official said, “In March 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the project. The construction work has now started and the corridor is expected to be completed by 2028. (Input-PTI)
