Starting from Sept 17, 3 pm, Delhi Metro's new station at Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector 25 will be open for public

The Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector 25 station of Delhi Metro will start functioning from 3 pm on Sept 17. This station is part of the Airport Express Line and will provide connectivity to the upcoming International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The Airport Express Line of the Delhi Metro, which connects the national capital with the airport, will soon run at a record speed of 120 kmph, making it the fastest metro corridor in India. The DMRC said that this achievement was the result of careful planning and execution by its engineers and experts, in collaboration with various government agencies.

The new speed will be effective from September 17, the same day that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the first phase of the India International Convention and Expo Centre (IICC), also known as Yashobhoomi, in Dwarka. The PM will also launch the extension of the Airport Line from Dwarka Sector 21 to a new station at Dwarka Sector 25, which will serve the IICC.

The extended section of the Airport Line will be open for public from 3 pm on September 17, officials said on Friday. They added that the increased speed will be implemented on this line after the inauguration ceremony.

The Airport Line currently runs from New Delhi station to Dwarka Sector 21 station. With the extension, the total travel time from New Delhi to Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector-25 will be reduced to 21 minutes, as compared to 22 minutes earlier from New Delhi to Dwarka Sector 21. This will save three minutes for the commuters on this line.

The DMRC announced that the travel time between New Delhi and Terminal 3 of the Delhi Airport has been reduced to 15 minutes and 30 seconds from the previous 18 minutes. This is due to the replacement of over 2.6 lakh tension clamps on the entire corridor, which allows the trains to run at a higher speed.

The work was done mostly at night from 11 pm to 7 am to avoid disrupting the normal services. More than 100 workers were involved in this massive project, which was completed in six months instead of the planned 18 months.

Before starting the work, the DMRC tested the new clamps on a trial track of one kilometre and measured various parameters such as vibration and stress on the rails using advanced instruments. The results showed that the new clamps could handle the higher speed levels.

The DMRC also used a sophisticated system of 3D accelerometers and strain censors to monitor the vibrations and strains on the tracks at different speeds ranging from 90 kmph to 120 kmph. The data was analysed by DMRC officials to ensure smooth and safe operation of the trains.

The signalling system and the passenger information system were also verified and tested for compatibility with the higher speed levels. The software and safety certifications of the main system and the subsystems were checked in detail, the statement said.

The Passenger Screen Doors (PSDs) were tested to work in sync with the train's movement. All the signalling equipment went through rigorous testing with track, rolling stock, traction for more than two months," the statement said.

The overhead equipment (OHE) system was also modified to allow the trains to run at 120 kmph during the non-revenue hours. After these efforts, Delhi Metro raised the operational speed of Metro trains on the Airport Express Line from 90 kmph to 100 kmph on March 22 this year, the officials said.

The speed of the trains was further raised to 110 kmph on June 22, and it will be increased to 120 kmph from tomorrow. The safety certification for this has already been obtained earlier this month, the DMRC said.