THE FIRST section of Delhi’s northwest line is to be ready by December 2003. Delhi Metro Rail Corp announced on July 8 that it was starting utilities diversion for the route, which will run entirely on viaduct 12m above ground. The 8·5 km first section links the junction at Tri Nagar to Rithala. The remaining 5·6 km to Daulatpur, Pehladpur and Barwala (MR00 p32) is due to be completed by the end of 2005, along with the stabling depot at the outer terminus.
DMRC confirmed on July 4 that the first section of the east-west line between Shahdara and Tiz Hazari was 75% complete, and on course for opening next year. When the 52 km network is finished, through services will connect Shahdara to Barwala, with the western line to Nangloi run as a branch from Tri Nagar.
Following the award of major E&M contracts earlier this year (RG 5.01 p285), Ircon and MVM have won the US$35m contract to install trackwork on Shahdara - Tiz Hazari and at Shastri Park depot. Alcatel CGA Transport is to supply automatic fare collection.
Another contract valued at US$206m has been awarded to a consortium of Kumagai Gumi, Akanska and Itochu for design and construction of the northern section of the underground north-south line, between ISBT and Vishwavidyalya.
Utilities diversion is in hand on the southern part of this route between Delhi University and Central Secretariat. Ircon and Cobra have been selected to supply and install the traction power system on this line for US$56m.
