Heritage Line to be thrown open on Sunday

Come Sunday, commuters will be able to travel on Delhi Metro's Heritage Line, which will bring the marvels of history, including the Red Fort, the iconic Jama Masjid, and the Delhi Gate closer. The corridor missed several deadlines but will now be finally thrown open to the public. Commuters can ride on the Heritage Line from Sunday, noon onwards.

This will come as a major relief to regular commuters as well as tourists, who have to brave long traffic jams and congested roads to go to Old Delhi.

Unlike at other stations, passengers will be able to enter the Heritage Line stations through 'dream gates' with the flick on their mobile phones. Initially, however, the facility will be available at only two entry points at Lal Qila and two exit points at Jama Masjid. The pilot project will be extended to other stations later.

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) Chief Spokesperson Anuj Dayal said:"Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu will inaugurate the line on Sunday."

From ITO to Kashmere Gate, the line would be an extension of the Violet Line, Escorts Mujesar (Faridabad) to ITO. The entirely underground 5.17km corridor will have four stations on it, making Kashmere Gate station, the biggest interchange point, with three lines — Red, Yellow, and Violet — crossing through it.

"The Heritage Line will help decongest the Old Delhi routes to a large extent. Also, those coming from the satellite town of Faridabad will have direct access to workplaces and commercial centres falling on the Yellow Line, including Connaught Place, Janpath, and the Central Secretariat," Dayal said.

Besides Kashmere Gate, there will be five interchange stations on this Line — Mandi House, Central Secretariat, Kalkaji, and Lajpat Nagar.

THE BIG FOUR

Red Fort station
The facade of the station looks like Red Fort itself and has been done in red sandstone. The station has stone cladding in the interiors. The station is surrounded by Old and New Lajpat Rai Markets, buildings and kiosks of Subhash Marg, Angoori Bagh, Jain Temple, and the PG Market.

Jama Masjid station
The Jama Masjid station is close to the 17th century mosque. Its theme is historical and the look has been accentuated with metal work and stone cladding.

Delhi Gate Station
Adorned with panels that depict the history of the city, the Delhi Gate station will provide access to LNJP Hospital, Ambedkar Stadium, and Asaf Ali Park.

Kashmere Gate interchange station
It will be the first Metro station in the entire network to have three lines crossing through it. It is close to ISBT and the Old Delhi railway station as well.