New Delhi, Oct 25 (IANS) Not only will the upcoming Akshardham metro station here be the tallest to be built so far, it will also be the most aesthetically done so that it complements the magnificent Akshardham temple nearby, officials said.
Scheduled to be opened mid-November, when the International Trade Fair is on in the capital, the Akshardham metro station with its six levels will beat the Kashmere Gate metro station which is the tallest as of now.

“The Akshardham station will be the tallest metro station built so far, having six levels and standing 16.5 metres above the ground and 21 metres from the basement. As of now, the Kashmere Gate metro station which stands 15 metres above the ground, is the tallest station,” Anuj Dayal, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) spokesperson said.

The six levels of the station will be connected by seven escalators and four lifts.

Considering that the station - on the Yamuna bank-Noida metro route - will be close to the Commonwealth Games village, it will assume great importance during the Games.

According to DMRC’s estimates, the daily foot fall at the station by 2011 will be 78,613.

Talking about the beautification of the station, Dayal said that it has been given a similar look like the temple so that it “blends well in the picture”.

“So that the station blends well with the locale which houses the sprawling Akshardham Temple, DMRC has decided to use Dholpur stone on the exterior just like it has been done in the temple. Provision has also been made at the upper ground and concourse levels of the station for commuters to enjoy the magnificent view of the temple,” Dayal said.

On Sunday, because of maintenance work and technical reasons, the frequency of train services between Barakhamba Road and Yamuna Bank Metro stations on the Yamuna Bank- Dwarka route was of 24 minutes duration instead of the usual three minutes.

The frequency lag was to go on from 6 a.m. To 12 noon. However, it was extended for two more hours.

Although the news about the low metro train frequency was circulated in the media, a number of commuters were nevertheless caught off guard.

Ravi Mohan, a commuter, said he was not aware of the metro advisory and ended up late for an appointment.

“I did not know about the technical work so was surprised when the metro halted twice-thrice after every station and ran at a snail’s pace. It took me double the time than I usually do to reach Yamuna bank and, therefore, I reached late for a doctor’s appointment,” Mohan said.