Gurgaon will be closer to the city from Monday when a Metro train will chug into the satellite city, fulfilling its residents’ long-awaited desire for an effective transport link to New Delhi.
However, Gurgaon will get fully connected with the Metro rail network in July when the Central Secretariat-Gurgaon line will be inaugurated.
For the time being, the 14.47 km-long line, connecting Qutub Minar with HUDA City Centre in Gurgaon, will be thrown open to the public from 8 am on Monday.
The Delhi Transport Corporation is planning to run connecting bus services from Qutub Minar Metro station to Central Secretariat Metro station from 6.15 am to 11.45 pm.
It got clearance by commissioner of Metro Rail Safety R.K. Kardam last week. The DMRC sources said no formal function will be held because the trial runs on this section were launched with much fanfare by urban development minister S. Jaipal Reddy and Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.
Once the entire section becomes operational, passengers can hope to reach the millennium city in around an hour from Connaught Place.
The DMRC will initially put five trains on the 14.47-km corridor that will connect Gurgaon with SOUTH Delhi, which will run at a frequency of 12 minutes, a DMRC spokesman said, adding that the number of trains will be increased gradually.
Passengers can cover the entire distance in around 25 minutes by paying a ticket fare of Rs 18, while the minimum ticket rate is priced at Rs 8.
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44.8ºC in city, hottest this month
New Delhi, June 20: The city had its hottest day in June on Sunday with the temperature soaring to 44.8ºC and high humidity adding to the discomfort of people who preferred to remain indoors.
Met officials said Sunday’s maximum was six notches above the normal while humidity was as high as 67 per cent.
The maximum temperature on Saturday was 43.2ºC. The minimum temperature was recorded at 29.8ºC against Saturday’s 27.8ºC.
On Sunday the city roads witnessed thin traffic as people preferred to remain indoors to avoid the heat. There was little crowd to be seen at the regular weekend hangout India Gate which normally bustles with activities. There may not be any respite from the gruelling heat on Monday with the weatherman forecasting a similar spell. The maximum and minimum temperature may be around 45ºC and 30ºC respectively, the Met department said.
—PTI