Delhi Metro: How Phase-IV will be bigger, better, stronger

NEW DELHI: Since 1998, when construction of its first phase started, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has always learnt from its mistakes and incorporated changes while executing the next stage. Phase-IV, work on which started late last year, is no different.

DMRC has made an extensive plan for its stations in Phase-IV, apart from other systems. These include a new texture for the building exteriors as the current one peels off and gathers dust. The new stations will have bigger escalators and elevators, improved and energy efficient lightning and better airconditioning. A large number of measures are also being taken to make the new stations theft-proof by removing loopholes in the present security measures.

As part of Phase-IV, DMRC is at present working on three approved corridors — Janakpuri West to RK Ashram Marg, Aerocity to Tughlaqabad and Maujpur to Mukundpur — with a combined length of 61.6km and 46 stations.

A large part of the project cost is incurred on acquiring land. To ensure minimum possible land requirement for stations in Phase-IV, compact stations have been planned with many utilities and services packed inside smaller spaces. This feat has been achieved at stations like Ashram, where DMRC had faced an acute shortage of land. This experience will be utilised in Phase-IV.

The stations will also sport a different look. “The exterior walls have certain paint textures that tend to peel off and attract dust. Repairs in patches do not match the existing texture. For future stations, smooth finish paints will be opted for the exteriors of the buildings,” a DMRC official said.

Though DMRC structures are built in a manner that they are not vulnerable to trespassers, it is not unusual for miscreants to access the viaduct through minor gaps and steal valuable components, mainly cables.

“In the past, cases have been reported of miscreants accessing the viaduct through minor gaps in the structure. Now, the designs will be modified to minimise the gap and make it as theft-proof as possible. These incidents also occur by miscreants using the earthing wire as hand rope to ascend or descend to the target location. Cables will be realigned to curb this situation in future,” the official said.

The official added, “DMRC will install bigger elevators in Phase-IV stations, which will be able to accommodate 20 people instead of the current carrying capacity of 8 to 13. However, elevators at AIIMS, Delhi Gate and Hauz Khas stations can accommodate up to 26 people.”

For the first time, DMRC is planning to install escalators in sets of two (one for going up and the other for going down) even at non-interchange stations in Phase-IV. “At present, only major interchange stations like Rajiv Chowk, Kashmere Gate, Hauz Khas, etc have dual or multiple sets of escalators, which cater to both upward and downward movement simultaneously,” said the official.

“We have observed that passengers prefer escalators and elevators than stairs. That is why their features have been reworked to provide better commuting experience,” he added. DMRC plans to install 295 elevators and 644 escalators at its Phase-IV stations. At present, DMRC operates 935 elevators and 1,030 escalators across its 250 stations and other installations.