Trial runs to ITO Metro station begin.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has commenced trial runs from Mandi House to ITO station on the Central Secretariat-Kashmere Gate corridor of Phase III. The ITO station was originally scheduled to be opened to the public by December 2015.

The first trial train on the section was flagged off recently from the ITO Metro station by managing director Mangu Singh.

Construction work for this underground stretch - which is part of the 9.37 km-long Central Secretariat-Kashmere Gate corridor - is almost complete and is expected to be opened after successful trials and mandatory approvals.

'The opening of this stretch has been advanced since the ITO Metro station will cater to a large number of commuters. Apart from people commuting to their offices in police headquarters, UGC, Bal Bhawan etc, the station will also benefit those who come to watch matches at the Ambedkar and Feroz Shah Kotla stadiums. As per the Detailed Project Report, approximately 22,000 passengers are expected to use the ITO Metro station by 2016. The number is likely to cross the 31,000 mark in 2021,' a DMRC spokesperson said.

Work on this stretch started in April 2012. 'Work also has been completed seven months ahead of schedule, as it was slated to be completed by July 2015,' the spokesperson said.


THE INDIAN EXPRESS