New interiors at phase 3 to make Delhi Metro stations roomy

New Delhi: The claustrophobic feeling at Phase I and II Metro stations, like the one at Rajiv Chowk, will not be a bother in Phase III. Delhi Metro, which is constructing two new corridors in this phase along with extending the Central Secretariat line to Kashmere Gate, has come up with new designs for the station interiors . “The new design gives a feeling of space and allows better orientation. Movement within the station will be much more streamlined ,” said a senior DMRC official.

The biggest change is the opening up of space. At present , stations in the Delhi Metro network have defined concourse and platform areas , without a visual connect . The DMRC official said, “The new design will have what we call double height spaces—that is, from the concourse to the platform there will be a visual connect, an atrium kind of space. This gives a sense of openness that will also help orient people better at the stations.” The double height space will further streamline the movement of commuters , added the official.

That’s not all. DMRC also plans colour codes on the station exteriors depending on the line going through it. while the roof of the station will be grey, the pillars and portals would have the line’s colour. For instance, if a station is on the Mukundpur-Shiv Vihar line, the pillars and portals would have a streak of brown, which is the colour code for line 7 (Mukundpur-Shiv Vihar). Similarly for line 8 (Janakpuri west to Botanical Gardens ), the stations along the line would sport the colour magenta, the colour code for this line. “At the interchange stations, the colours of all the lines intersecting there would be exhibited … this will help commuters identify the station and line easily,” said the official.

In Phase III, facilities like escalators and elevators on all sides of the station entry and exits instead of just one will be introduced.
The two new corridors are expected to become operational from 2016.

NEW STATION DESIGNS FOR METRO PHASE III

Stations will come up in new corridors Mukundpur to Shiv Vihar and Janakpuri (west) to Botanical Gardens. The stations will have ‘double height’ space to ensure a clear visual connect between the concourse and platforms. This will create a feeling of more open space and allow better orientation of commuters.

Station exteriors will be colour-coded. Roofs will be grey, while pillars and portals will be of same colour as line. So line 7 (Mukundpur-Shiv Vihar) that is coded as the brown line will have the colour on station exteriors. Likewise, line 8 (Janakpuri west to Botanical Gardens), will be coloured magenta.

Toilets in the stations will also be bigger and would be located in unpaid areas for easy access, the official said.