The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has set its eyes on opening of the much-needed ITO Metro station, an extension of the Central Secretariat-Mandi House corridor that was inaugurated on Thursday. The ITO station is likely to be opened by this yearend. Flanked by passengers’ response on Day One and considering their requirement at the busy intersection, the DMRC officials would meet in a couple of days to decide on the opening of the ITO Metro station.
Although the DMRC had not specifically mentioned a timeframe for the opening of the ITO station in its detailed project report (DPR), officials are now considering operationalising the same at the earliest. “DMRC officials will convene a review meeting in 10-15 days from now to decide on opening of the ITO Metro station. As per the original plan, there was no deadline set for this particular station. Considering the current progress at the site, the station is expected to be open by December or
January next year,” said Anuj Dayal, spokesperson, DMRC. However, there were reports that the station could be opened by July this year, but delay in the opening of the Mandi House and Janpath stations has pushed the commissioning of ITO Metro station.
One of Delhi’s busiest office localities, the ITO station is part of the Badarpur to Central Secretariat corridor, which is being extended to Kashmere Gate. With an expected ridership of 40,000, the station will be 250 metre long, and will be underneath Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, at a depth of 16 metre. While the tunnels are being built using the cut and cover technology, the plan also includes two subways which are scheduled for opening in July. One subway will be at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg and the other at Indraprastha Marg. The existing subway on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg will also connect to the station.