Finally, Gurgaon gets a swanky Metro rail

The Gurgaon Rapid Metro, connecting the Cyber City with the Delhi Metro network, begins its run on Thursday with an aim of providing a hassle-free commute to thousands of office-goers and ease traffic congestion on NH-8.

Private operator IL&FS managing director Sanjiv Rai said Rapid Metro services, connecting Sikanderpur in the Delhi Metro network with Phase 3 of DLF City, would be available from 6:05 a.m. to 12:20 a.m at a frequency of four minutes.

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Each three-coach rake would have a passenger carrying capacity of around 800, he said, adding that the firm does not have any immediate plan to reserve any compartment for women, like the Delhi Metro.

There would be a total of six stations -- Sikanderpur, Phase-2, Belvedere Towers, Cyber City, Moulsari Avenue and Phase 3 -- all falling in Phase 2 and 3 of DLF City.

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Commuters can buy tickets for all destinations at any stations of the Rapid Metro and the Delhi Metro networks, Rai said, adding that they have tied up with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for the benefit of the passengers.

"The Rapid metro would boost connectivity of Delhi with CyberCity, the corporate hub of Gurgaon. It is expected that about 30 per cent of existing road traffic would move to the metro network and reduce travel time and traffic jams on the National Highway-8," he said.

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"We hope to achieve a break-even point for the Rs 1,088 crore (Rs 10.88 billion) project within four to five years," Rai said.

According to a survey conducted by the firm, within a year around 90,000 passengers are expected to avail the Rapid Metro service per day.

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The company does not have provision for increasing the number of coach in a rake in future, he said, adding that they could increase the frequency of trains if required.

According to the MD, the project was late by six months due to the delay in acquiring land and getting necessary approvals from various government agencies.

Though the operation would start on November 14, the formal inauguration would be done in December 2013 by some leading politicians, he said. 

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The private firm has also not reserved any seat for senior citizens or disabled persons.

"The company does not think it is necessary to devote one compartment of the three-coach rake exclusively for women. We would mark and reserve some seats for senior citizens and disabled if required in future," Rai said.

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Unlike the Delhi Metro where CISF personnel provide security, the Rapid Metro would be guarded by private security.

Haryana Police would, however, assist them in case of any eventuality and emergency, he said.

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German firm Siemens has delivered the core systems of the metro project on a turnkey basis and has equipped the Rapid Metro Rail with aluminium rakes, modern train control system, 750 V DC traction power supply, along with a third-rail system for electricity.

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The complete interface management and system integration form an integral part of the solutions Siemens has provided.

Siemens has also bagged the contract for the second phase of the Gurgaon Metro. 

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The work for the second phase, connecting Sikanderpur with Phase 1 and 4 of DLF City, has begun in June 2013. This phase is likely to be operational within 30 months.