New Delhi: Delhi Metro`s ambitious
Phase-III project will begin in the next two months with the
construction of Central Secretariat-Mandi House link, aimed at
decongesting the over-crowded Rajiv Chowk station.
Contract for the 3.2-km link, which has already been
approved by the Government, has been awarded to Pratibha-CSRG
JV and the firm is expected to begin its work in the next two
months.
While the civil work will cost Rs 450 crore, total
cost of the entire 3.2-km corridor is Rs 800 crore that
includes signalling and other works.
The small stretch is crucial for the Delhi Metro as it
would drastically reduce the rush at Rajiv Chowk station,
one of the most crowded on the Metro network with a footfall
of over four lakh everyday.
Delhi Metro issued tenders for the project in November
well before the Phase-III was cleared by the Urban Development
Minister. It had sought permission from the Government to
fast-track the project as it wanted to finish the line as
early as possible, sources said.
"The Central Secretariat-Mandi House stretch will be
the first to start in Phase-III. The contract has already been
awarded. The work will start in another 1-2 months," Delhi
Metro chief E Sreedharan told reporters yesterday.
The 3.2-km underground stretch with two stations --
Janpath and Mandi House -- is likely to be completed in two
years after the construction starts.
The new stations in Mandi House and Janpath will
reduce pressure on the Rajiv Chowk station and will provide
another station for commuters in the shopping hub of Connaught
Place.
The small stretch is part of the Central
Secretariat-Red Fort Standard Gauge line, but the Delhi Metro
wants the line to be completed till Mandi House first by 2014.
The Central Secretariat-Mandi House line, once
completed, will be integrated with the Central Secretariat-
Badarpur corridor, thus providing another link between East
and South Delhi. This will ultimately be integrated with the
Badarpur-Faridabad corridor as and when it is completed.
A new station will be built at Mandi House near the
existing one. Delhi Metro also decided to have a station in
Janpath to further decongest Rajiv Chowk station. The station
will be located somewhere near the Eastern and Western courts.
The train will depart from Central Secretariat, travel
through Raisina Road, Janpath and Tolstoy Marg before
terminating at Mandi House.
PTI
