Station work over, Metro to start clearing ITO barricades from March.

For drivers and pedestrians stranded in the toxic mist of ITO's notorious traffic jams, Delhi Metro has good news. From March, the Metro will begin removing its part of the problem - the barricades and route diversions put in place about 18 months ago for the construction of a train station.

According to a DMRC spokesperson, the civil construction at ITO station is complete and trial runs are expected to start shortly.

'All the barricades will be removed by March-April. This station is an important one on the Violet Line, part of our Heritage Corridor, which will pass through the Walled City and end at Kashmere Gate,' the spokesperson said.

The barricades currently affect lakhs of commuters every day, with waiting time at the ITO signal of up to 20 minutes at peak hours.

Apart from clearing the way for swifter road traffic, the ITO station will be of help to scores of people working at the Income Tax Office, Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Delhi Police Headquarters and Public Works Department among others. It will also serve students attending School of Planning and Architecture as well as Maula Azad Medical College.

DMRC is also constructing two underpasses at this Metro station, which will be used by the general public as subways. 'While the subway on IP Road is already operational, the subway on Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg going to Connaught Place and the New Delhi Railway station will open with the ITO station,' the spokesperson said.


THE INDIAN EXPRESS