After three missed deadlines, the Delhi Metro’s Airport Link — initially scheduled to run ahead of the 2010 Commonwealth Games — finally begins passenger services from Wednesday. Operations on the 23-km sector will begin at 2 pm, a Metro spokesman said.
In just 20 minutes, a commuter will be able to reach the airport from New Delhi railway station. Station check-in of baggage for flights, a critical element of the airport line, will, however, not begin on Wednesday, but the facility is likely to be introduced soon.
Regular flight information updates will be available inside coaches on LCD screens.
The Airport Express line has six stations: New Delhi station, Shivaji Stadium, Dhaula Kuan, Delhi Aero City, IGI Airport and Dwarka Sector 21. Dhaula Kuan and Delhi Aero City are not yet ready. The line will be operated by the Reliance-run Delhi Airport Metro Express Pvt Ltd, the country’s first public-private partnership in this sector.
Five to six trains will be deployed initially, and run at speeds upto 105 kmph at a frequency of 20 minutes. This will be gradually increased. The fares will range from a minimum `20 to a maximum `100.