It has been a remarkable journey, to say the least. Over the past couple of decades, the Delhi Metro has become synonymous with the pulse of the city. It is a common sight to find a metro over-bridge or entryway to an underground station at most places. By connecting the capital’s remotest corners and setting a precedent for metro systems across the country, the mode of transportation has allowed individuals from different walks of life to find their daily commute incredibly convenient and inexpensive.
Rishabh Mittal, a college student, has a lot to comment on his commute in the metro — “I travel on a daily basis from Gurgaon to Noida, which is a considerable distance. It is due to this connectivity option that I can make the journey. In my parents’ time, they couldn’t even think of choosing a college in Noida while putting up in Gurgaon. It is a convenient and safe option for students like me and wherever I go in the National Capital Region, I can bank on there being a metro station nearby.”
The Delhi Metro has also encouraged plenty of people to explore the city, especially with stations at key touristic destinations such as Chandni Chowk and Jama Masjid. Even though connectivity to such places has never been a bother, traffic has always been one, which is obviously not an issue for metro commuters. It has been equally helpful for the working population, allowing many Delhi-ites to live in South Delhi and work in Central or East Delhi. Shaira Kohli, a resident of Sainik Farms in South Delhi, manages to reach her office in Noida in just 45 minutes. A car journey would take her 90 minutes even with moderate traffic. She says, “The women’s compartment is incredibly convenient for me. I usually get a seat and the safety bit is there too. Also, it costs about '50 one way, while my car would end up guzzling '200-300 worth of petrol every day.”
Overall, the Delhi Metro has become an institution unto itself and its story is one of inspiration. A spokesperson says, “We are conducting a campaign in the form of a street play, which portrays the 25-year journey. People can witness these plays in various metro stations.” He then added, “We have maintained high standards for the Delhi Metro from the very beginning and we are planning to bring many more new changes.”
The system’s expansion has also helped the city tackle its high pollution levels. When more people use the Delhi Metro, there is less vehicular traffic, which is a major respite for a city reeling under environmental concerns.
Another gem that is both a testament to the eighth-longest metro system in the world — with eight regular lines — and a place absolutely worth visiting is the museum at Patel Chowk metro station. It is the first of its kind in South Asia, and, once there, you will find exhibited the 32-year-long process that ensued even before the metro even began operations.
After all, it has to be an immense human feat to not only aspire for a convenient form of transportation in a city like India, but actually make sure it continues to stay convenient. The Delhi metro, so far, definitely has.
