Noida Metro Extension Faces Delay on Blue Line, Confirms NMRC

The Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) disclosed on Monday that the extension of services between Noida and Greater Noida West has encountered obstacles due to the absence of "seamless connectivity" between NMRC's Aqua Line and Delhi Metro's Blue Line. Presently, the interchange point between the Blue Line and the Aqua Line is situated at Noida's sector 51 and 52 metro stations. However, commuters face inconvenience as they must cover a distance of 430 meters and undergo ticketing and security processes for the interchange.

The proposed extension of the Aqua Line from Noida Sector 51 to Knowledge Park-V in Greater Noida West is facing demands from local residents who have been advocating for metro services and seamless connectivity with the Blue Line in Noida.

Lokesh M, the Managing Director of NMRC, stated in the current detailed project report (DPR) for the extension of the Noida-Greater Noida metro service that there is a constraint of seamless connectivity between the Sector-51 station of the Aqua Line and the Sector-52 station of the Blue Line.

While a Foot Over Bridge connection (FoB) has been planned to link Sector-51 and Sector-52 stations, Lokesh M highlighted that the 430-meter distance between the two stations remains a deterrent for commuters, even with the provision of travellators. He cited a similar issue between the Dhaula Kuan station of the Airport Express Line and the Durga Bai Deshmukh station of the Pink Line of Delhi Metro, where an FoB connection with travellator was not a long-term solution.

To address the issue, Lokesh M emphasized the need for a permanent solution to ensure seamless connectivity. He stated that a revised DPR, incorporating slight changes in the alignment of the Aqua Line extension up to Knowledge Park-V, has been initiated to resolve the connectivity challenge. These changes aim to enhance comfort and ease of interchange for commuters in Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida, and Greater Noida West. The revised DPR is expected to undergo processing for approvals in the near future.

ET