Delhi Airport Metro Express Line: Connectivity to IGI also a big hurdle

NEW DELHI: The Airport Express Metro line made travel to IGI Airport a breeze but for many passengers, getting to New Delhi railway station to board the train was not so easy. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation’s car park facility at NDLS opened only partially with space for about 400 vehicles. Cab services were also not in place and those arriving at the railway station had to wade through the ongoing construction activity to reach the Metro line.

“I had no idea that the Metro line was opening today since there were no signs inside the station. I was going to take a taxi when someone informed me that the Metro line would be opening in the afternoon. It was then that I decided to take the Metro. While I could see the building, I wasn’t too sure of how to get here. It took me some time to find the way walking about the place,” said Sanjay Verma, a businessman.

Exiting the Airport Metro line and getting to the main Metro line was also not easy. While there was easy access for those moving in the other direction , those entering NDLS Metro station form the airport line had to duck under metal barricades and find their way to security in a mad rush — there were no signs to guide commuters. “I had such a great time in the Airport Metro train but getting onto the main Metro line was quite a hassle.

The CISF checking booth for women could not be seen and I had to battle my way through a narrow passage that was crowded,” said Anuradha Dewan, a student who used the Metro service from the airport to NDLS and wanted to take the Metro to Laxmi Nagar.

Bus services, however, were within reach both at the airport and at NDLS. At the airport station, passengers could choose to exit the station at the ground level that was right in front of the point from where city buses and transfer services between terminals are available. At the NDLS station too, a newly done up bus stop is right in front of the station.