The Airport Express Line (AEL) of Delhi Metro should begin its operations on February 23, provided the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) completes its deployment process by Monday which is likely. However, a formal inauguration of the line is expected only in March. The line will help travellers complete the ride from Connaught Place to airport in 20 minutes.
Though sources involved in the project claimed that the operations may begin by February 23, a few things, besides CISF deployment, are yet to be ready. Two stations — Dhaula Kuan and Delhi Aero City — are being readied. Some of the facilities are likely to be added even as the operations are commissioned.
It is to be noted that having an initial deadline of September 2010, the AEL has missed three deadlines due to safety and other technical issues. While the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety had given its go ahead after a couple of inspections, the issue of deployment of the CISF for security had got entangled in controversy.
It was expected that it would take two to three weeks time for deployment on the 23-km stretch and, hence, if things move as per plan, it should be over by Monday.
Meanwhile, DMRC’s Ghaziabad link till Vaishali is likely to become operational by June and will benefit residents of Indirapuram and Vasundhara, Ghaziabad.
“The civil construction work of the 2.57-km-stretch from Anand Vihar ISBT to Vaishali has been already completed and currently, track laying and finishing works of the two Metro stations on the corridor are in progress,” said a DMRC official.
Kaushambi and Vaishali will be the two stations on this elevated corridor.