ITO-Kashmere Gate Metro corridor thrown open to public

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 28

After several trials held over the last few days, the ITO–Kashmere Gate corridor or the “Heritage Line” of the Delhi Metro was thrown open to public on Sunday after its inauguration by Union Minister of Urban Development M. Venkaiah Naidu and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Called as heritage corridor since it will bring Metro connectivity to many monuments of historical importance, the 5.17-km-long underground stretch is an extension of the already operational Escorts Mujesar (Faridabad) – ITO Violet Line and with this Escorts Mujesar (Faridabad) – Kashmere Gate line has a length of 43 km.

Having three stations--Delhi Gate, Jama Masjid and Red Fort—in Old Delhi area, the new stretch will take a sizeable load off the Chandni Chowk and Chawri Bazar stations of the Yellow Line.

Hassle-free ride to tourists of heritage places

The stretch also promises a hassle-free ride to tourists of Old Delhi’s heritage places, including Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Fatehpuri Masjid, Shivalayas, St Stephens Church and Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib apart from Digambar Jain Lal Mandir. 

 In short, a conglomeration of religious structures dots the areas through which the line passes.

It will also be a relief to students, book enthusiasts and vendors of wholesale markets of Daryaganj and Meena Bazaar wherein a visit reminds one of medieval days.

All the four stations--Delhi Gate, Jama Masjid, Red Fort and Kashmere Gate--have been decorated with panels and artworks depicting the glory of the bygone era and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) had tied up with the culture body INTACH for artworks at the stations, said DMRC chief spokesman Anuj Dayal.

Complimenting the Delhi Metro on the opening of the line, Naidu said that Old Delhi is the tourism and cultural hub of the city where many monuments of historical importance are located.

“This new Metro connection will bring many more people to these monuments as now the visitors will not have to worry about jams and parking hassles,” he added.

Chandni Chowk Member of Parliament and Union Minister of Science and Technology, Environment, Forest, Climate Change and Earth Sciences, Dr Harsh Vardhan, said based on his experience the Delhi Metro is better than most of the metros across the world .

Calling it the pride of the entire country, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said many countries are looking up to Delhi Metro and DMRC is providing consultancy to many towns and cities.