Thaindian News

New Delhi, Oct 3 (IANS) Delhi Metro chief E. Sreedharan Sunday flagged off a new line from Central Secretariat to Sarita Vihar that will also provide access to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the main venue for the Commonwealth Games.

“People going to Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Sunday evening for the inauguration of the Commonwealth Games can use Delhi Metro’s new Central Secretariat-Sarita Vihar line,” a Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) official said.

The Games inauguration ceremony is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.

According to a (DMRC) spokesperson, the 15-km-long section was inaugurated at 8 a.m.

Metro chief Sreedharan told reporters: “It is a matter of great pride to finish this line on set target dates. I am happy that this line is completed before the Games start…now only the airport line is left, which is almost complete…only its safety inspection is needed,” said Sreedharan.

According to a Metro official, trains on the new line will run at a frequency of two minutes and 40 seconds.

“The last train from the stadium’s Metro station for passengers going towards Central Secretariat will be available at 11.24 p.m., while the last train from the stadium towards Sarita Vihar will depart at 11.27 p.m,” the official said.

From Oct 4, Metro services on the line will be available between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., he said.

The new Metro line will run underground for six kilometres - from Central Secretariat to Lajpat Nagar - and nine kilometres on an elevated corridor - from Lajpat Nagar to Sarita Vihar.

According to the official, the line will be extended from Sarita Vihar to Badarpur within 10 days.