A massive renovation exercise was started by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) from July 2019 onwards for 21 of its stations between Dilshad Garden and Rithala section of Red Line which are amongst oldest in the Metro network opened under its Phase-I/II.
The exercise was aimed at giving them an enhanced aesthetic look and upgradation of various infrastructure to keep pace with the changing times and ensuring an enhanced commuting experience to its customers. The renovation activities which are now completed on 12 of the 21 stations included:
- Finishing/replacement of exterior façade with contemporary easy to maintain material
- Relaying dilapidated granite flooring at concourse and ground level
- Retroplating (chemical polishing) of platforms
- Internal and external painting of stations
- Relaying and rerouting of old drainage system which was causing leakages including desilting/cleaning of circulating area drainage network
- Improvement of circulating area and footpath for beautification and aesthetics of station premises
- Replacement of rolling shutters and fire doors as per requirement
- New signages as per latest specifications
- Painting of roof trusses & roof sheeting
- Toilet block and parking renovation
- Upgradation of existing fire fighting system
- LED lighting at stations
- Renovation of escalators/installation of new escalators
- Replacement of analog CCTV cameras with digital version for enhanced clarity, and
- Provision of insulation sleeve on catenary wire in station area and also installation of bird spikes at various critical points to prevent OHE tripping due to bird menace
Major stations where the renovation work is almost complete are Dilshad Garden, Jhilmil, Mansarovar Park, Shahdara, Welcome, Shastri Park etc. The work at remaining Metro stations will also be completed by May 2021.
To take stock of these massive renovation activities, Dr Mangu Singh, Managing Director/DMRC inspected the various Metro stations on this section on the intervening night of March 6-7. He was accompanied by Director (Operations), AK Garg and other senior officials of DMRC during the inspection.
This exercise has been accomplished in a record time despite the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic, leading to even temporary halt of all the activities in 2020. Similar exercise(s) will also be carried out on other Lines in a gradual manner to keep the system and its services as a world class urban mass transport facility.
The Red Line was the first Delhi Metro line which became operational in 2002 with the opening of the 8.4 km-long Shahdara to Tis Hazari section comprising 6 stations.
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