After missing several deadlines over the past few years, the country’s first private metro service — Rapid Metro — is finally ready to roll on track in Millennium City Gurgaon on November 14.
Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) had given a go ahead to the promoters, Il&FS last week after final inspection. “We have got the approval for the first phase of Rapid Metro to start its commercial operation from Thursday morning”, said Sanjeev Rai, MD and CEO of Il&FS.
“We have completed civil and mechanical work on the entire 5.1 km stretch and all stations, except Gateway tower situated on the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway, and have been waiting for the inspection from CRS. A CRS team had carried out inspection around 20 days ago. It had issued a clearance certificate a week ago”, Rai said.
Construction of the country’s first Rapid Metro service started from March 2010. The promoter company has claimed that it would be completed in three years. Il&FS had begun its trail run in September 2012. “We have planned to provide hassle free ride to the commuters of Cyber City as the area has many MNCs, call centers and business centers.
2.5 lakh commuters come to Cyber City on a daily basis to attend office from Delhi and other parts of Gurgaon and they will benefit from the service”, Rai added. The company has fixed a fare of Rs 12 to take ride in Rapid metro circle while rapid metro will issue tickets and smart cards to travel in Delhi Metro circles as well. It has six stations in a distance of one or more than one km on elevated tracks and it will connect with Delhi Metro at Sikandarpur Metro Station.