If all goes well, from next September air passengers taking the Delhi Metro's Airport Express Line will be able to check-in and get boarding passes from the proposed Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi and Shivaji stadium metro stations.
In order to provide added convenience to users of the Aiport Express Line, scheduled to be opened to the public by September next year, check-in facilities will be introduced at the Dhaula Kuan station here.
With this, the number of City Airport Terminals of the hi-speed line from where Metro commuters can check-in will be three. The other two proposed stations where passengers can check-in are New Delhi and Shivaji Stadium.
"Introduction of the facilities at the Dhaula Kuan station is likely to benefit thousands of commuters as it is located at a major traffic intersection serving West, South, South-West and Central Delhi," DMRC spokesman Anuj Dayal said.
The 22.7 km Airport Express Line connecting New Delhi with Indira Gandhi International Airport will be operational by September 2010, a month before the Commonwealth Games.
Trains will run at a speed of 135 kmph on the corridor and cover the distance from New Delhi to Airport in 18 minutes.
Passengers can get boarding passes at the Dhaula Kuan station but will not be able to check-in luggage as there will be no baggage handling facilities.
However, they could carry small briefcases or bags which are meant as cabin baggage. This will be useful for business travellers and other professionals who make day trips with little luggage," Dayal said.
Thus, three of the six stations on the Airport Express Line will now serve as CATs. Luggage check-in will be available along with boarding passes at New Delhi and Shivaji Stadium stations.
Half of one coach of the 6 coach Airport Metro train will be used as special luggage compartments. The New Delhi Metro station is expected to cater to a huge load of air travellers who will board the fast train to reach the airport. PTI
