metro use in delhi?

yeshekathy

Does anyone have experience using the new metro system in Delhi. I plan to stay in either Defence Colony or Arakashan Rd. Would I be able to take advantage of the metro from either place?

I love train/tram/skytrain travel in cities and would really like to avoid the auto rickshaws (knew someone who was killed(!) in one of them) and the taxis if possible...

capt_mahajan

If you scroll down, under "Similar threads' there are a few about the Delhi Metro.

From what I hear, its good.

alext

I have used the Metro a little bit. I don't know about your specific stations but in general the Delhi metro is quite amazing. It is clean, efficient, uncrowded and when you walk into it, it is like walking into the future.

No kidding. I was blown away.

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Tomkat

The "similar threads" are from 2005 and I'd hope the line has kicked on a bit since then
Does anyone have info on what areas are served now by the system

shashank.aggarwal

Not in Defence Colony, however it the Arakashan road is in south Delhi then you cannot use the metro from there as well..

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alext

Um...
http://www.delhimetrorail.com/commuters/route_map.html

vireya

When looking at those maps, keep in mind that only Phase 1 actually exists so far.

Tomkat

So can we use the metro to go to the International Airport from Arakashan Rd.yet?
Or the Domestic airport?

vireya

Here's a clearer diagram of the sections that are open so far:

http://www.delhicapital.com/delhi-metro/metro-maps.html

Nothing near airports.


Or to see it in relation to other features:

http://www.johomaps.com/as/india/delhi/delhimetro.html

vireya

Main problem with the Metro is the craziness at the stations. This article describes it quite well:

http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=128570

"...the passengers de-boarding experience an uncontrollable attack by the incoming passengers and there is a stampede-like situation which even security personnel cannot possibly check. The forcible entry and exit of passengers pushing madly in opposite directions can lead to any mishappenning like injuries to passengers or toppling down of old men, women or children."

I don't know if they will ever teach people that if you wait for others to get off, then you can get on easily yourself. But then, that's India!


PS - another reason the metro won't help you with travel to or from the airport, is that you can't take luggage on the metro trains, only smAll bags are allowed.

Aishah

yeshekathy - I use the Metro whenever i can because it is brilliant. From Defence Colony you can take an autorickshaw to Pragati Maiden station which currently is the closest to there. From there you go to area of choice. Changing of lines takes place at Rajiv Chowk (Connaught Place area). By the time of the Commonwealth Games there should be a station at Lajpat Nagar, adjacent to Defence Colony, and the Metro to the Airport.(2010) Work is going on at a rapid pace.
The method I suggested is still much cheaper than going all the way by autorickshaw. By using the Metro you eliminate all this ghastly haggling and cheating. If I remember rightly it is only 8 or 9 rupees from Pragati Maiden to Rajiv Chowk.
If you want to go to Khan Market from CP, I take the Metro to The Secretariat then the auto from there. Use a good Delhi map with Metro marked on it and then you can work out the best way for you to get around. Don't go out of your way to take the Metro e.g. if you go Khan Market from Defence Colony go direct by autorickshaw!

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Tomkat

Thanks Vireya. That Dwarka 9 station looks like it's close to Indira Gandhi airport. It's hard to know what exists now and what is proposed but we'll sort it out.

Aishah

Sort of cross-posted with Vireya (my connection appallingly slow)
Yes, the getting out particularly in rush hour and out to Rajiv Chowk or in there, can be terrible. Try to get to the side of the doors and squeeze out to the side - I find that's the safest and quickest way! I can't stand the way no one will wait for you to get down - it's appalling. But it's not like this all the time so don't be put off.
The other thing is that you cannot take heavy luggage on board - I am wondering what will happen when the Airport line opens up?

ronsaik

Ummm...I've carried a very large rucksack, a duffel bag and several large shopping bags on the metro....and on one occassion, a clothes stand five feet high and three wide. Never faced a problem.

vireya

Interesting. I'm only going by what I was told, but I assumed it was true because of the fact that you have to open your bags completely and have them searched before you can get on, which would cause huge inconvenience especially during peak times if people had suitcases or large backpacks.