A metro station or subway station is a railway station for a rapid transit system, often known by names such as "metro", "underground" and "subway".
Some metro systems, such as those of Montreal, Stockholm, Prague and Moscow, are famous for the beautiful architecture and public art. The Paris Métro is famous for its art nouveau station entrances; while the Athens Metro is known for its display of archeological relics
, Sir Norman Foster's new system in Bilbao, Spain uses the same modern architecture at every station to make navigation easier for the passenger, though some may argue that this is at the expense of character.
In some stations, especially where trains are fully automated, the entire platform is screened from the track by a wall, typically of glass, with automatic platform-edge doors (PEDs). These open, like elevator doors, only when a train is stopped, and thus eliminate the hazard that a passenger will accidentally fall (or deliberately jump) onto the tracks and be run over or electrocuted.
The largest metro station in the world is the Paris Métro-RER station Châtelet-Les Halles in France[1].
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Locale National Capital Region, India
Transit type Rapid transit
Number of 6 lines
[1][2] Number of 132 stations
Daily 1.5 million[3][4] ridership
Chief E. Sreedharan executive
Headquarters Metro Bhawan, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi Website www.delhimetrorail.com
Operation
Began December 24, 2002[5] operation
Operator(s) Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd
(DMRC)
Number of 188 trains[6] vehicles
Train length 4/6 coaches[7][6]
Technical
System length 156 kilometers (97 mi)[1][2]
Track gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge and 1,435
1 mm (4 ft 8 ⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification 25 kV, 50 Hz AC through overhead catenary
The Delhi Metro (Hindi: दि쥍ली मेट्रो Dillī Meṭro) is a rapid transit system serving Delhi, Gurgaon and Noida in the National Capital Region of India. The network consists of six lines with a total length of 156 kilometres (97 mi) with 132 stations of which 31 are underground. It has a combination of elevated, at-grade and underground lines and uses both broad gauge and standard gauge rolling stock. Delhi Metro is being built and operated by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited (DMRC). As of November 2010, DMRC operates around 2,700 trips daily between 6:00 and 23:00 running with an interval of 2.5 minutes between trains at peak frequency.[8][4] The trains have four coaches, but there are plans to shift to six coach trains to increase capacity.[7][8][9][6] The power output is supplied by 25-kilovolt, 50 Hertz alternating current through overhead catenary. The metro has an average daily ridership of 1.5 million commuters,[3] and, as of August 2010, had carried over 1.25 billion commuters since its inception.[10]
Planning for the metro started in 1984, when the Delhi Development Authority and the Urban Arts Commission came up with a proposal for developing a multi-modal transport system for the city. The Government of India and the Government of Delhi jointly set up the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) in 1995. Construction started in 1998, and the first section, on the Red Line, opened in 2002, followed by the Yellow Line in 2004, the Blue Line in 2005, its branch line in 2009, the Green and Violet Lines in 2010. Subsequently, these lines have been extended and new lines are under construction in Phase II of the project, including the Delhi Airport Metro Express whose opening has been postponed until December 2010 due to safety concerns.[11]
[edit] History
[edit] Background
The concept of a mass rapid transit for Delhi first emerged from a traffic and travel characteristics study carried out in the city in 1969.[12] Over the next several years, many official committees by a variety of government departments were commissioned to examine issues related to technology, route alignment and governmental jurisdiction.[13] In 1984, the Delhi Development Authority and the Urban Arts Commission came up with a proposal for developing a multi-modal transport system, which would consist of constructing three underground mass rapid transit corridors as well augmenting the city's existing suburban railway and road transport networks.[14]
While extensive technical studies and search for financing the project were in progress, the city expanded significantly resulting in a twofold rise in population and a fivefold rise in the number of vehicles between 1981 and 1998.[14] Consequently, traffic congestion and pollution soared, as an increasing number of commuters took to private vehicles with the existing bus system unable to bear the load.[12] An attempt at privatising the bus transport system in 1992 merely compounded the problem, with inexperienced operators plying poorly maintained, noisy and polluting buses on lengthy routes, resulting in long waiting times, unreliable service, extreme overcrowding, unqualified drivers, speeding and reckless driving.[15] To rectify the situation, the Government of India and the Government of Delhi jointly set up a company called the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on March 5, 1995 with E. Sreedharan as the managing director.[16]
[edit] Construction
Physical construction work on the Delhi Metro started on October 1, 1998.[17] After the previous problems experienced by the Calcutta Metro, which was badly delayed and 12 times over budget due to "political meddling, technical problems and bureaucratic delays", the DMRC was given full powers to hire people, decide on tenders and control funds.[18] As a result, construction proceeded smoothly, except from one major disagreement in 2000, where the Ministry of Railways forced the system to use broad gauge despite the DMRC's preference for standard gauge.[19]
The first line of the Delhi Metro was inaugurated by Atal Behari Vajpayee, the then Prime Minister of India on December 24, 2002[5] and thus it became the second underground rapid transit system in India, after the Kolkata Metro. The first phase of the project was completed in 2006[20] on budget and almost three years ahead of schedule, an achievement described by BusinessWeek as "nothing short of a miracle".[21]
[edit] Network
Main article: List of Delhi metro stations
The Delhi Metro is being built in phases. Phase I completed 65.11 km (40.46 mi) of route length, of which 13.01 km (8.08 mi) is underground and 52.10 km (32.37 mi) surface or elevated. The inauguration of the Indraprastha–Barakhamba Road corridor of the Blue Line marked the completion of Phase I on October 27, 2006.[20] Phase II of the network comprises 128 km (80 mi) of route length and 79 stations, and is presently under construction, with the first section opened in June 2008 and a target completion date of 2010.[22] Phases III (112 km) and IV (108.5 km) are planned to be completed by 2015 and 2021 respectively, with the network spanning 413 km (257 mi) by then.[23]
[edit] Current routes
As of October 3, 2010, the whole of Phase-I and parts of Phase-II are complete, with the network comprising five lines with 130 metro stations and a total length of 156 km (97 mi).[1][2][24]
Lengt First Last Rollin Stations[ h Lie operatio Extensi Terminals g Network Map 24] (km)[2 nal on stock 4] Decembe 23 June 4, Dilshad Rithal Red r 24, 21 25.1 trains[2
2008 Garden a Line 2002 5]
Decembe Septemb HUD 45 Yello Jahangirp r 20, er 3, 34 45 A City trains[4 w uri ] 2004 2010 Centre Line Dwark Decembe Noida October a r 31, 44 50 City 59 30, 2010 Sector [8 Blue 2005 Centre trains 21 Line ] January Yamuna Anand — 6 6.25 8, 2010 Bank Vihar 13 April 3, Mund [2 Green — 14 15.1 Inderlok trains 2010 ka Line 6] Central 29 October Sarita Viole — 13 15 Secretaria trains[2 3, 2010 Vihar 7] t Line t
[edit] Red Line
Main article: Red Line (Delhi Metro)
The Red Line was the first line of the Metro to be opened and connects Rithala in the west to Dilshad Garden in the east, covering a distance of 25.09 kilometres (15.59 mi).[25] It is partly elevated and partly at grade, and crosses the Yamuna River between Kashmere Gate and Shastri Park stations.[28] The inauguration of the first stretch between Shahdara and Tis Hazari on December 24, 2002, caused the ticketing system to collapse due to the line being crowded to four times its capacity by citizens eager to have a ride.[29][30] Subsequent sections were inaugurated from Tis Hazari – Trinagar (later renamed Inderlok) on October 4, 2003,[31] Inderlok – Rithala on March 31, 2004, and Shahdara – Dilshad Garden on June 4, 2008.[32]
[edit] Yellow Line
Main article: Yellow Line (Delhi Metro)
The Yellow Line was the second line of the Metro and was the first underground line to be opened.[33] It runs for 44.36 kilometres (27.56 mi) from north to south and connects Jahangirpuri with HUDA City Centre. The northern and southern parts of the line are elevated, while the central section through some of the most congested parts of Delhi is underground. The first section between Vishwa Vidyalaya and Kashmere Gate opened on December 20, 2004, and the subsequent sections of Kashmere Gate – Central Secretariat opened on July 3, 2005, and Vishwa Vidyalaya – Jahangirpuri on February 4, 2009.[32] This line also possesses the country's deepest Metro station at Chawri Bazaar, situated 30 metres (98 ft) below ground level.[34][35] On 21 June 2010, an additional stretch from Qutub Minar to HUDA City Centre in Gurgaon was opened, initially operating separately from the main line. However, Chhatarpur station on this line opened on August 26, 2010. Due to delay in acquiring the land for constructing the station, it was constructed using pre-fabricated structures in a record time of nine months and is the only station in the Delhi metro network to be made completely of steel.[36][37] The connecting link between Central Secretariat and Qutub Minar opened on September 3, 2010.[38] Interchanges are available with the Red Line at Kashmere Gate station, and with the Indian Railways network at Delhi and New Delhi railway stations.[39][40]
[edit] Blue Line
Main article: Blue Line (Delhi Metro)
The Blue Line was the third line of the Metro to be opened, and the first to connect areas outside Delhi.[41] Partly overhead and partly underground,[42] it connects Dwarka Sub City in the west with the satellite city of Noida in the east, covering a distance of 47.4 kilometres (29.5 mi).[41] The first section of this line between Dwarka and Barakhamba Road was inaugurated on December 31, 2005, and subsequent sections opened between Dwarka – Dwarka Sector 9 on April 1, 2006, Barakhamba Road – Indraprastha on November 11, 2006, Indraprastha – Yamuna Bank on May 10, 2009, Yamuna Bank – Noida City Centre on November 12, 2009, and Dwarka Sector 9 - Dwarka Sector 21 on October 30, 2010.[32] This line crosses the Yamuna River between Indraprastha and Yamuna Bank stations,[28] and has India's first extradosed bridge across the Northern Railways mainlines near Pragati Maidan.[43] A branch of the Blue line, inaugurated on January 8, 2010, takes off from Yamuna Bank station and runs for 6.25 kilometres (3.88 mi) up to Anand Vihar in east Delhi.[44] A small stretch of 2.76 kilometres (1.71 mi) from Dwarka Sector 9 to Dwarka Sector 21 was inaugurated on October 30, 2010.[1][2] Interchanges are available with the Yellow Line at Rajiv Chowk station,[42] and with the Indian Railways network at the Anand Vihar Railway Terminal.[45]
[edit] Green Line
Main article: Green Line (Delhi Metro)
Opened in 2010, the Green Line was the first standard-gauge corridor of the Delhi Metro.[26] The fully elevated line connects Mundka with Inderlok, running for 15.1 kilometres (9.4 mi) mostly along Rohtak Road.[46] An interchange with the Red line is available at Inderlok station via an integrated concourse.[47] This line also has the country's first standard-gauge maintenance depot at Mundka.[48]
[edit] Violet Line
Main article: Violet Line (Delhi Metro)
The Violet Line is the most recent line of the Metro to be opened, and the second standard-gauge corridor after the Green Line. The 15 km (9.3 mi) long line connects Sarita Vihar to Central Secretariat, with 9 km (5.6 mi) being overhead and the rest underground.[27] It was inaugurated on October 3, 2010, just hours before the inaugural ceremony of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, and connects the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium which is the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies of the event.[49] Completed in just 41 months, it includes a 100 m (330 ft) long bridge over the Indian Railways mainlines and a 167.5 m (550 ft) long cable-stayed bridge across an operational road flyover, and connects several hospitals, tourist attractions and a major industrial estate along its route.[27] Services are provided at intervals of 2 min 40 sec, the shortest on the network.[49] An interchange with the Yellow Line is available at Central Secretariat through an integrated concourse.[27]
[edit] Routes under construction
Phase II consists of 127 km (79 mi) of railway lines, of which the following sections are under construction.[23]
Construction work in progress for the Phase II extension to Gurgaon.
Planned Opening Date Route Terminals Length Stations
December 2010[50] ■ Airport Express New Delhi – IGI Airport – Dwarka Sector 21 22.7 km (14.1 mi) 5 December 2010 ■ Violet Line Sarita Vihar – Badarpur 5.16 km (3.21 mi) 3 March 2011 ■ Green Line Kirti Nagar – Ashok Park Main 3.32 km (2.06 mi) 2 June 2011[51] ■ Blue Line Anand Vihar – Vaishali 2.5 km (1.6 mi) 2
[edit] Airport Express
Main article: Delhi Airport Metro Express
The Airport Express line runs for 22.7 km (14.1 mi) from New Delhi Railway Station to Dwarka Sector 21, linking the Indira Gandhi International Airport. The line will be operated, by the Delhi Airport Metro Express Pvt. Limited (DAMEL), a subsidiary of Reliance Infrastructure, the concessionaire of the line.[52] Constructed at a cost of 2,885 crore (US$ 637.59 million),[53] the line will have six stations with check-in facilities, parking and eateries.[54] Originally scheduled to open before the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the line failed to obtain the mandatory safety clearance, and was rescheduled to open by the middle of November 2010.[55][11] The line is still to be completed with its final safety inspections and get clearances which is scheduled in December 2010.[56] Rolling stock is expected to consist of six-coach trains operating at intervals of ten minutes and having a maximum speed of 135 km/h (84 mph).[54]
[edit] Planned extensions
Several extensions to the Delhi Metro network have been planned.
[edit] Phase III
[edit] Routes within Delhi
Phase III, tentatively composed of six routes covering 69.57 kilometres (43.23 mi), has a 2015 deadline. The following routes have received Cabinet clearance and are expected to commence construction by the end of 2010[57]:
Central Secretariat to Red Fort (6.8 km) - Violet Line Rajouri Garden to Mukundupur (12.4 km) - New line Jahangirpuri to Badali (3.4 km) - Yellow Line
Three lines are still pending approval[57]:
Anand Vihar to Dhaula Kuan (25.66 km) - New line Malviya Nagar to Kalindi Kunj (11.64 km) - New line Ashok Park to Delhi Gate (9.64 km) - Unconfirmed
[edit] Routes beyond Delhi border
In addition, a 13.8 km (8.6 mi) long extension of the Violet Line from Badarpur into Faridabad in neighbouring Haryana at a cost of 2,533 crore (US$ 559.79 million) has received budgetary and other clearances, and construction is set to begin in October 2010.[58]
[edit] Phase IV
Phase IV has a 2020 deadline, and tentatively includes further extensions to Sonia Vihar, Reola Khanpur, Palam, Najafgarh, Ghazipur, Noida Sector 62, Gurgaon and Faridabad, having a total length of 108.5 km (67.4 mi).[23] Apart from these lines in Phases I to IV, plans have been mooted to construct a new line from Noida Sector 62 to Greater Noida which will intersect Indraprastha – Noida Sector 32 line.[59] The Ghaziabad Development Authority is planning to extend Delhi Metro lines deeper into Ghaziabad in three phases, including the extension of the Blue Line from Anand Vihar to Vaishali, and subsequently to Mehrauli via Indirapuram, as well as the extension of the Red Line from Dilshad Garden to the new Ghaziabad bus stand.[51][60] The independently operated Gurgaon Metro, if built, will also interchange with the Delhi Metro.[61]
[edit] Finances
[edit] Funding
The capital cost of Phases I and II has been estimated to be 14,430 crore (US$ 3.19 billion) at 2004 prices.[62] However, more recent estimates have placed the cost of construction at 200 crore (US$ 44.2 million) per kilometre.[63] Thirty percent of the total investment for Phases I and II has been raised through equity capital with the Government of India (GoI) and Government of Delhi contributing equal shares,[62] and approximately another 60 percent has been raised as either long-term or subordinate debt, through soft loans from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.[64] The rest of the investment is proposed to be recovered from internal revenues through operations and property development.[62] The Metro also received 1,914.3 crore (US$ 423.1 million) as grant-in-aid from various agencies for the financial year ending March 2009.[65] As of August 7, 2010, Delhi Metro has paid back an amount of 567.63 crore (US$ 125.45 million), which includes loan amount for Phase I and interest amounts for Phases I and II, to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).[66]
[edit] Revenue and profits
In 2007, the Delhi Metro claimed to be one of only five metro systems in the world that operated at a profit without government subsidies. This was enabled by keeping maintenance costs to a minimum and harnessing additional revenue from advertisements and property development, apart from ticket sales.[67][68] The Metro also generates revenue by leasing out its trains and stations for film shoots. Due to its increasing association with Delhi as an image of the city's everyday life, it has been a popular filming location for production houses, and several films and advertisements have been shot on board.[69][70] Producers have to pay as much as 1 lakh (US$ 2,210) for every hour of filming, besides a security deposit and insurance.[69]
For the financial year ended March 2008, the Metro reported operating revenues of 305.27 crore (US$ 67.5 million) and a profit before tax of 19.98 crore (US$ 4.42 million),[71] which rose to 723.77 crore (US$ 160 million) and 90.43 crore (US$ 20 million) respectively for the financial year ended March 2009.[65]
[edit] Operations
Inside a Metro Station.
Trains operate at a frequency of 3 to 4.5 minutes between 6:00 and 23:00. Trains operating within the network typically travel at speeds below 80 km/h (50 mph), and stop about 20 seconds at each station. Automated station announcements are recorded in Hindi and English. Many stations have services such as ATMs, food outlets, cafés and convenience stores. Eating, drinking, smoking, and chewing of gum are prohibited in the entire system. The Metro also has a sophisticated fire alarm system for advance warning in emergencies, and fire retardant material is used in trains as well as on the premises of stations.[72] Navigation information is available on Google Transit.[73] The first coach of every train is reserved for women only. Delhi Metro is the second contemporary rapid transit system in the world to do so after the Dubai Metro.[74][75][76]
[edit] Security Security on the Delhi Metro is handled by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), who have been guarding the system ever since they took over from the Delhi Police in 2007.[77] Closed-circuit cameras are used to monitor trains and stations, and feed from these is monitored by both the CISF and Delhi Metro authorities at their respective control rooms.[78] Over 3500 CISF personnel have been deployed to deal with law and order issues in the system, in addition to metal detectors, X-ray baggage inspection systems and dog squads which are used to secure the system.[79] Intercoms are provided in each train car for emergency communication between the passengers and the driver.[80] Periodic security drills are carried out at stations and on trains to ensure preparedness of security agencies in emergency situations.[81]
[edit] Ticketing
For the convenience of customers, Delhi Metro commuters have three choices for ticket purchase. The RFID tokens are valid only for a single journey on the day of purchase and the value depends on the distance travelled, with fares for a single journey ranging from 8 (US$ 0.18) to 30 (US$ 0.66). Fares are calculated based on the origin and destination stations using a fare chart.[82] A common ticketing facility for commuters travelling on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses and the Metro will be introduced in 2011.[83] Travel cards are available for longer durations and are most convenient for frequent commuters. They are valid for one year from the date of purchase or the date of last recharge, and are available in denominations of 50 (US$ 1.11) to 800 (US$ 17.7). A 10% discount is given on all travel made on it.[84] A deposit of 50 (US$ 1.11) needs to be made to buy a new card.[82] Tourist cards can be used for unlimited travel on the Delhi Metro network over short periods of time. There are two kinds of tourist cards valid for one and three days respectively. The cost of a one-day card is 100 (US$ 2.2) and that of a three-day card is 250 (US$ 5.5), besides a refundable deposit of 50 (US$ 1.11) that must be paid at the time of purchasing the card.[82]
[edit] Issues
A long line of commuters waiting to purchase tickets at the Yamuna Bank station in east Delhi.
As the network has expanded, high ridership and technical snags in new trains have led to increasing instances of overcrowding and delays on the Delhi Metro.[85][86] To alleviate the problem, orders for new coaches have been placed and an increase in the frequency of trains has been proposed.[85] Infrequent, overcrowded and erratic feeder bus services connecting stations to nearby localities have also been reported as an area of concern.[87][88] In 2010, severe overcrowding on the Yellow Line, which connects the north and south campuses of Delhi University, was reported to be a reason for students missing or reporting late for classes.[89]
[edit] Accidents
On October 19, 2008, a girder launcher and a part of the overhead Blue Line extension under construction in Laxmi Nagar, East Delhi collapsed and fell on passing vehicles underneath. Workers were lifting a 400-tonne concrete span of the bridge with the help of a crane when the launcher collapsed along with a 34 metres (112 ft) long span of the bridge on top of a Blueline bus killing the driver and a labourer.[90]
On July 12, 2009, a portion of a bridge under construction collapsed when its launching girder lost balance as it was being erected at Zamrudpur, near East of Kailash, on the Central Secretariat – Badarpur corridor. Six people were killed and 15 others injured.[91] The day after, on July 13, 2009, a crane that was removing the debris collapsed, and with a bowling pin effect collapsed two other nearby cranes, injuring six.[92] On July 22, 2009 a steel beam fell on a worker at the under-construction Ashok Park Metro station, killing him.[93] Over a hundred people, including 93 workers, have died since work on the metro began in 1998.[94]
[edit] Rolling stock
A Phase I broad gauge train, supplied by Hyundai Rotem-BEML.[95]
A Phase II broad gauge train, supplied by Bombardier.
The Metro uses rolling stock of two different gauges. Phase I lines use 1,676 mm (5.499 ft) broad gauge rolling stock, while three Phase II lines use 1,435 mm standard gauge rolling stock.[96] Trains are maintained at seven depots at Khyber Pass and Sultanpur for the Yellow Line, Mundka for the Green Line, Najafgarh and Yamuna Bank for the Blue Line, Shastri Park for the Red Line and Sarita Vihar for the Violet Line.[97][27][98][99][100]
One of the new six coach trains.
[edit] Broad gauge
The broad gauge rolling stock is manufactured by two major suppliers. For the Phase I, the rolling stock was supplied by a consortium of companies comprising Hyundai Rotem, Mitsubishi Corporation, and MELCO. The coaches were initially built in South Korea by ROTEM,[101] then in Bangalore by BEML through a technology transfer arrangement.[102] These trains consist of four 3.2-metre (10 ft) wide stainless steel lightweight coaches with vestibules permitting movement throughout their length and can carry up to 1500 passengers,[103] with 50 seated and 330 standing passengers per coach.[104] The coaches are fully air conditioned, equipped with automatic doors, microprocessor-controlled brakes and secondary air suspension,[105] and are capable of maintaining an average speed of 32 km/h (20 mph) over a distance of 1.1 km (0.68 mi).[104] The system is extensible up to eight coaches, and platforms have been designed accordingly.[103] The rolling stock for Phase II is being supplied by Bombardier Transportation, which has received an order for 498 cars worth US$828 million.[106] While initial trains were made in Germany and Sweden, the remainder will be built at Bombardier's Indian factory in Savli, near Vadodara.[107] These trains are a mix of four-car and six-car consists, capable of accommodating 1178 and 1792 commuters per train respectively. The coaches possess several improved features like Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras with eight-hour backup for added security, charging points in all coaches for cell phones and laptops, improved air conditioning to provide a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius even in packed conditions and heaters for winter.[108] [edit] Standard gauge
The standard gauge rolling stock is manufactured by BEML at its factory in Bangalore. The trains are four-car consists with a capacity of 1506 commuters per train,[109] accommodating 50 seated and 292 standing passengers in each coach.[104] These trains will have CCTV cameras in and outside the coaches, power supply connections inside coaches to charge mobiles and laptops, better humidity control, microprocessor-controlled disc brakes,[110] and will be capable of maintaining an average speed of 34 km/h (21 mph) over a distance of 1.1 km (0.68 mi).[104]
[edit] Signalling and telecommunication
Inside a Metro coach.
The Delhi Metro uses cab signalling along with a centralised automatic train control system consisting of automatic train operation, Automatic Train Protection and automatic train signalling modules.[111] A 380 MHz digital trunked TETRA radio communication system from Motorola is used on all 3 lines to carry both voice and data information.[112] For Line 3, Siemens Transportation Systems has supplied the electronic interlocking Sicas, the operation control system Vicos OC 500 and the automation control system LZB 700 M.[113] An integrated system comprising optical fibre cable, on-train radio, CCTV, and a centralised clock and public address system is used for telecommunication during train operations as well as emergencies.[114]
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