Saturday, March 12, 2011

Delhi's Airport Metro makes you Fly, Marvel Passengers

Mohammad Kamil, a 42-year-old non-resident Indian returning from Saudi Arabia, is in complete awe of the Metro Express that takes one from the New Delhi railway station to the international airport in just 20 minutes.

"I can't differentiate between Saudi Arabia and India right now. The speed, comfort and the time and money I save by using it - it's just fantastic value. With such developments, I feel proud to be an Indian," Kamil told IANS.
 As more and more people get to use the new Metro line, they are loving the ambience, the speed, and its super efficiency. Proud residents say the Delhi Airport Metro Express will play a pivotal role in transforming Delhi into a world class city.

According to officials of the Delhi Airport Metro Express Pvt Ltd (DAMEPL), around 7,000 travellers are using the service on a daily basis.

The airport express line commenced operations Feb 23 and is Delhi Metro's first public-private partnership project. Delhi Metro is responsible for the civil work and Reliance Infrastructure will operate the line for 30 years and share the revenues.

The 20-km journey takes 20 minutes and LCD screens display flight information inside the train coaches. The distance otherwise takes over an hour to cover by road.

"I took the Metro from the New Delhi railway station and it should have taken 20 minutes to reach here, but the journey was completed in just 19 minutes," said an amazed Nazir Iqbal, who had come to drop his sister at the airport.

According to Sharad Sahni, the new Metro line is a wonderful alternative to other modes of transport like taxis and uncomfortable auto-rickshaws.

"You have the luxury to travel air-conditioned at half the price of other public transport and minus the jams, heat and smoke," said the second-time traveller.

"The speed at which it is travelling - I read it is 105 km per hour - you get the feel of an aircraft and with the superb amenities at the stations, our air journey begins the minute we enter the Metro station!" Sahni added.

However, some travellers opined that the tickets could have been cheaper and direct baggage check-in from the station should be introduced as soon as possible. Officials say this will be possible in a few months. The travel from the New Delhi railway station to the airport costs 80 and the full journey up to Dwarka Sector-21 costs 100. 

Source: www.siliconindia.com

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