DMRC to increase speed, frequency of Airport metro

In order to make the airport Metro more popular, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has decided to increase the frequency and speed of this line, apart from increasing its operating hours, starting August 1.

Metro officials said while the peak hour frequency will be increased to 10.30 minutes from the current frequency of 15 minutes, the speed of the airport Metro service will be increased from 70 kmph to 80 kmph.

Similarly, the first train service from both the terminal stations — Dwarka Sector 21 and New Delhi — will start at 4.45 am instead of the current 5.30 am at New Delhi, and 5.15 am at Dwarka Sector 21.

The last train will, however, continue to depart at the same time from New Delhi station at 11.30 pm and from Dwarka Sector 21 at 11.15 pm.

DMRC officials said the change in schedule has been introduced keeping in mind the schedule of railway passengers boarding and getting off from Shatabdi Express trains at New Delhi railway station. 

“The change in schedule will help passengers of Shatabdi Express trains, which depart from New Delhi railway station early in morning, and return late at night. Shatabdi Express passengers coming from the airport or nearby areas will now be able to take the early morning services of the Airport Express link and reach New Delhi railway station,” a DMRC spokesperson said.

“All Shatabdi Express trains reach New Delhi latest by 11.05 pm. But the airport line will wait for a maximum of 15 more minutes till 11.45 pm in case of any delay of these trains,” the spokesperson added.

Officials said the frequency of trains during peak hours will be increased to 10.30 minutes instead of the existing 15 minutes. But during off-peak hours, it will continue to operate every 15 minute.

The increase in frequency timings will also increase the daily trips of the trains to 180 from 146. Considering the movement of passengers at the airport, morning peak hours are from 7.30 am to noon, and evening peak hours are from 3 pm to 7.30 pm.

Officials said the changes have been made on the basis of feedback by commuters of the line. DMRC took over the operations of the airport line on July 1.