The launch of the extension to Najafgarh will convert the existing Dwarka Metro station into a major interchange hub with the added distinction of it being the only station to have five elevated platforms at the same level. At present, three platforms are operational in it which also acts as the terminal station for few trains on the Delhi Metro’s Blue line (lines 3/4) as the corridor stretches till Dwarka Sector 21. “While presently, three platforms are operational, two more platforms will come up parallel to cater to the extension to Najafgarh via the upcoming Nangloi station,” said a Metro spokesperson.
Work on the branch line till Najafgarh has been undertaken under the Phase III construction and a sum of Rs1,070 crore has been sanctioned for the same, according to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). Unlike the broad gauge tracks of Blue line’s operational stretch, the 4.4-km long extension corridor will have standard gauge tracks also making Dwarka one of the few stations in the entire network to have a multi-gauge arrangement.
As per official estimates, the station, that sees a footfall of around 30,000 commuters every day, will cater to approximately 50,000 more commuters after the launch of the new section. The criss-crossing of lines in Phase III with the existing lines at many places will lead to emergence of around 22 interchange stations, thus, shortening the distance between different parts of the city. At present, there are nine interchange stations — Rajiv Chowk, Kashmere Gate, Central Secretariat, Inderlok, Ashok Park Main, Yamuna Bank, Dwarka Sec 21, New Delhi and Kirti Nagar.