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In Dec. 2005, the Delhi Metro consists of three lines totalling 56 km with 50 stations:

Line 1 extended its total length to 21.3 km (18 stations) on 31 March 2004 with the inauguration of the Inder Lok - Rithala section. The entire new section is elevated and runs on a viaduct constructed mostly on road medians.

The previous two sections of Line 1 were opened on 25 December 2002 (Shahdara to Tis Hazari - 8.3km, 6 stations) and 3 October 2003 (Tis Hazari to Inder Lok - 4.1km, 4 stations) respectively. The three opened sections are a part of the 28km long Line 1 of the Delhi Metro system. The maximum speed of the Metro is 80km/h. The average stoppage time at the station is 20 seconds.

Train-sets of four coaches in rake have been put into service. They run at intervals of 8 to 10 minutes from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The frequency of service and times of operation will be increased as the commuter traffic builds up. The system is designed to operate at a frequency of 3 minutes.

Line 2, which runs between Vishwa Vidyalaya (Delhi University, North Campus) and Central Secretariat, is underground for its entire 11 km length. The route passes through the city centre, or the central business district at Connaught Place. The stations along the route were built by cut-and-cover technique except at Chawri Bazar where tunneling was used. Metro Stations are located 12.85 m below ground level except at the highly congested Chawri Bazar station which is located at 20 m below ground.

Line 3 runs mostly elevated or at grade with a short underground section in central New Delhi. After its completion in late-2006 it is 33.5 km long. Line 3 intersects with Line 2 at Connaught Place, but does not provide interchange with Line 1.

TRAINS: The Metro rolling stock was manufactured by a consortium comprising ROTEM (formerly KOROS), Mitsubishi Corporation, and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. The initial train sets were built at a ROTEM facility in

Korea

but are now being built at an Indian facility by Bharat Earth Movers Limited. The trains run on the broad gauge (1676 mm) and consist of 3.2 metre wide stainless steel lightweight coaches with vestibules that permit passengers to move throughout the length of the train. Trains currently consist of 4 coaches - two driving coaches and two trailing coaches. However, the system is designed for trains with upto 8 coaches. Each coach has seating for 60 passengers, with space for another 325 standing passengers. Trains are at platform level with a small gap to allow easy entry and exit to passengers. Trains announcements in Hindi and English inform about the next station and also warn about closing doors. There are route maps and LCD display systems in every coach. Stations are also equipped with public announcement systems and are monitored with close circuit TV.

Trains are air-conditioned and maintain an optimal temperature of 29 degree Celsius inside the coaches. The underground stations are also air-conditioned. The power supply is at 25 KV AC through overhead catenary - rigid OHE is proposed for the underground sections while a flexible OHE for the other sections. The underground sections have Centralized Automatic Train Control (CATC) comprising Automatic Train Operation (ATO), Automatic Train Protection (ATP) and Automatic Train Signaling (ATS) systems. The other sections have ATP and ATS.

STATIONS: The facilities on the metro system have been designed to be modern, aesthetic, and easily accessible by the physically challenged. There are escalators and accessible elevators at all stations. In addition, the entry path is lined with tactile tiles to guide the visually impaired from outside the stations to the trains. The Metro Sahayaks (Hindi for Metro Helpers) are present at stations to provide assistance at all times.