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Airport Express Line (Delhi Metro)

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  Airport Express Line
Overview
OwnerDelhi Airport Metro Express Pvt. Ltd.
Termini
Stations6[1]
Websitewww.delhiairportexpress.com
Service
TypeAirport Express Train
Operator(s)Reliance Infrastructure and CAF
Rolling stockCAF Beasain
Technical
Line length22.7 km[1]
CharacterAt-grade, underground, and elevated
Track gaugestandard gauge
Operating speed132 km/h top speed.
Route map
Template:Infobox rdt

The Delhi Airport Metro Express (DAME) is a Delhi Metro line from New Delhi Metro Station to Dwarka Sector 21, linking the Indira Gandhi International Airport. The line, also known as the Orange line is operated by the Delhi Airport Metro Express Pvt. Limited (DAMEL), a subsidiary of Reliance Infrastructure, the concessionaire of the line,[2][3] and opened on February 23, 2011 at 2p.m.[4] after missing four previously set deadlines.[5] It was built at a cost of Rs 57 billion,[6] of which Reliance Infra paid ₹2,885 crore (US$350 million)[7], Reliance Infra will also pay fees on a Revenue-share model[8][9]

The total length of the line is 22.7 km[10] of which 15.7 km of the route is underground[11] and 7 km is elevated from Buddha Jayanti Park and Mahipalpur.[12] The trains travel at up to 135 km/h, instead of up to 80 km/h on the rest of the metro. Travel time is 18 mins from New Delhi to the Airport T3.[13] A further extension of the line to Gurgaon, possibly allowing transfer to the Blue Line, is planned.

History

The first tenders for line construction were awarded in September 2007.[14] On Jan 23, 2008, the DMRC awarded a 30 year build-operate-transfer PPP contract to the Reliance Energy-CAF consortium.[15] However, DMRC paid for half of the construction cost and executed tunneling and civil works.[15]

Originally scheduled to open by August 31, 2010, well in time for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the line finally opened on February 23, 2011 at 2 PM[4] after missing four previously set deadlines.[16] The Aerocity and Dhaula Kuan stations opened on 15 August 2011.

Operations

While planned to run trains 24 hours a day with a frequency of 10 minutes, train services used to operate every 20 minutes from 6 AM to 10 PM only.[17] However, from the 10th of April, 2011, its operating timings have changed to be from 5 AM to 11 PM.[18]. The frequency for peak hours 7 AM to 11 AM has been increased to 15 minutes.

The fare for commuting has been fixed at ₹80 (96¢ US) for travel from New Delhi station to IGI Airport and ₹100 (US$1.20) for commuting from New Delhi to Dwarka Sector 21.[10] There are also passes available for 60 trips costing ₹1,200 (US$14) for travelling from Dwarka-21 to Shivaji Stadium Station (Connaught Place), this keeps the per trip cost at ₹20 (24¢ US) valid for one calendar month. There are other such passes available for different origin destination combinations. Stored Value cards are also on offer which will give 5% discount on all the trips. The elevated section of the Airport Express Line has been built over eight busy roads which carry a heavy volume of traffic, including the Ring Road, National Highway 8, Ridge Road and Sardar Patel Marg.[19] [20]

Stations

Main article: List of Delhi metro stations

All the six metro stations on the line are known as City Airport Terminals (CATs). They are fitted with state-of-the-art gadgets like explosive detectors, large x-ray baggage scanners, under vehicle scanners, quick reaction teams and dog squads to ensure full security of commuters and baggage alike. All the stations are secured with a network of CCTV cameras which relays live images to the station control room, security control room and operations control centre. The security of the airport line is handled by Central Industrial Security Force who also handles the safety of all the stations of DMRC. All the stations are disabled friendly so that people on wheelchairs can access them with facilities such as stations with ramps having a mild slope leading to elevators, the elevators are specially designed for the convenience of physically challenged people and capable of carrying stretchers, help call points are located at various points of stations and trains so that in case of any emergency, a disabled person can seek help by just pressing the call buttons. The elevators can be used by visually impaired persons with the elevator buttons having Braille letters.[21]

Orange Line
# Station Name Opening Rail connections Layout
English Hindi
1 New Delhi station नई दिल्ली स्टेशन February 23, 2011 New Delhi
Railway Station (Indian Railways) and Yellow Line (Delhi Metro)		 Underground
2 Shivaji Stadium शिवाजी स्टेडियम February 23, 2011 None Underground
3 Dhaula Kuan धौला कुआँ August 15, 2011 None Elevated
4 Delhi Aerocity दिल्ली एरोसिटी August 15, 2011 None Underground
5 Airport इन्दिरा गाँधी
अंतर्राष्ट्रीय हवाई अड्डा		 February 23, 2011 None Underground
6 Dwarka Sector 21 द्वारका सैक्टर २१ February 23, 2011 Blue Line (Delhi Metro) Underground

Infrastructure

Siemens Mobility is providing Signalling, Power Transmission, Baggage Handling System enabling passenger to check-in with baggage at the New Delhi Railway Station and Shivaji Stadium, with check -in 1200 passenger per hour capacity.[3][22] The €34 million order would be completed by 2010 in time for the Commonwealth games. Alcatel is supplying the communications systems.[7] Indra Sistemas is providing the ticket machines. Faiveley is providing the platform screen doors. BLUESTAR / Honeywell is the Control & Automation Provider for Station Management System (SMS).Bluestar is the main BEMS system provider.

The line will be the first line in the country to be mapped on Geographic Information System to enhance safety, maintenance and traffic regulation and will help in mobilising emergency services in case of an accident.[23]

Rolling stock

Eight 6-car trains supplied by CAF Beasain of Spain were imported.[10] CAF holds 5% equity in the DAME project, Reliance Infrastructure holds the remaining 95%.[7] The trains on this line are entirely different from the existing ones and have in-built noise reduction features for a noise-free ride with padded fabric seats. The coaches are equipped with LCD screens for entertainment of the passengers and also provide flight information for convenience of air travellers. The trains are fitted with an event recorder which can withstand high levels of temperature and impact and the wheels have flange lubrication system for less noise and better riding comfort.[23]

Tracks

To ensure safety the tracks are fitted with RHEDA-2000 technology, which allows trains to travel at up to 350 km/h.[24] The entire 22.7 km route is ballast-less track, which costs 40-50% more than normal train tracks, but does not take longer to lay than traditional tracks. The rails rest on rubber pads on the concrete sleepers.[24]

The 7 km elevated section from Buddha Jayanti Park to Mahipalpur has been built with 25m long girders for the first time in India.[12] The 504 girders weigh 120 tons each and are being cast in Mahipalpur and transported on 35m long trailers with 64 tyres.[12]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Delhi Metro's airport route to get international look with sleek blue parapet". 2010-02-14. Retrieved 2010-06-05.
  2. ^ Megha Suri Singh (2010-08-17). "Hawk-eyed vigil on airport metro line". The Times of India. Retrieved 2010-08-17.
  3. ^ a b "Airport line on track for Sept opening". Indian Express. 2010-05-17. Retrieved 2010-06-05.
  4. ^ a b "Airport to be 20 minutes from Connaught Place from Wednesday". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 2011-02-21.
  5. ^ Lalchandani, Neha (2010-10-26). "Metro's IGI line delayed, will open by mid-Nov". The Times of India. Retrieved 2010-11-01.
  6. ^ [1]
  7. ^ a b c "Delhi Airport line contracts finalised" (PDF). caf.net.
  8. ^ [2]
  9. ^ "Rel Infra raises funds for Delhi Airport Express railway line". The Financial Express. 2009-03-25. Retrieved 2010-06-25.
  10. ^ a b c "Airport line handed over to Reliance Infra". Indian Express. 2010-05-20. Retrieved 2010-06-05.
  11. ^ "Delhi Metro's airport route to get international look with sleek blue parapet". netindian. 2010-02-14. Retrieved 2010-06-25.
  12. ^ a b c "Delhi Metro using special extra-long girders for airport stretch". Thai Indian.
  13. ^ [3]
  14. ^ The Times Of India http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/HCC-led_JV_bags_Rs_77464_cr_Delhi_Metro_order/articleshow/2399529.cms. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  15. ^ a b "Delhi awards airport PPP" (PDF). caf.es.
  16. ^ Airport line clears fire hurdle, now for safety nod
  17. ^ http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110224/jsp/nation/story_13628374.jsp
  18. ^ The Times Of India http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/et-cetera/delhi-metros-airport-express-line-to-operate-for-18-hrs/articleshow/7924867.cms. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  19. ^ "Delhi Metro to reach highest point in Dhaula Kuan". The Times Of India. 2009-06-08. Retrieved 2010-06-25.
  20. ^ http://www.delhimetrorail.com/whatnew_details.aspx?id=CLWZNiL81ncl4lld&rdct=d
  21. ^ Subhendu Ray (2010-08-17). "Easy ride for disabled in Metro". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2010-08-17.
  22. ^ "Siemens to equip new metro link to New Delhi airport". Transport weekly. 2009-05-15.
  23. ^ a b "Metro train to Delhi airport soon, tests to start". The Times of India. 2010-04-27. Retrieved 2010-06-25.
  24. ^ a b "New technology for faster travel at the Metro Airport Express Link". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 2009-08-25.
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