PM Modi inaugurates extension of Delhi Airport Metro Express line

New Delhi, India (Metro Rail Today): Celebrating his 73rd birthday in style, Prime Minister Narendra Modi graced the Delhi Metro with his presence, sharing moments with both metro employees and commuters. This special day marked the inauguration of an exciting expansion of the Delhi Airport Metro Express line, stretching from Dwarka Sector 21 to the newly christened 'YashoBhoomi Dwarka Sector 25' station. The journey commenced at Dhaula Kuan station.

Modi not only inaugurated the first phase of the International Convention and Expo Centre (IICC), known as YashoBhoomi, but also the nearly two-kilometer extension of the Airport Express line. This extension bridges the gap between Dwarka Sector 21 and YashoBhoomi Dwarka Sector 25, significantly enhancing the metro network's reach.

Previously, the Airport Express line terminated at Dwarka Sector 21, where it intersected with the Delhi Metro's Blue Line. However, the new station will usher in metro connectivity for the residents of Dwarka Sector 25 and the emerging sectors along the Dwarka Expressway in neighboring Gurugram.

This expansion marks a milestone for Delhi Metro, now extending its network to an impressive 393 kilometers, with 288 stations, including the Noida-Greater Noida corridor and the Rapid Metro in Gurugram. In addition to this, the Airport Express line's operational speed has been bumped up from 90 kilometers per hour to an impressive 120 kilometers per hour.

Commuters will be delighted to know that the journey from New Delhi to YashoBhoomi Dwarka Sector 25 now takes a mere 21 minutes, while the trip from New Delhi to Dwarka Sector 21 has been reduced to approximately 19 minutes.

But that's not all! To make the metro experience even more convenient, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has introduced a cutting-edge WhatsApp ticketing system for the Airport Express Line. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to access this innovative feature:

1. Save DMRC's official WhatsApp number, 9650855800, in your contacts or scan the provided Chatbot QR code at customer care or ticket counters along the Airport Express Line.
2. Open WhatsApp and send a message saying "Hi" to the DMRC number.
3. Choose your preferred language when prompted.
4. Select from the available options: Buy Ticket, Last Journey Tickets, or Retrieve Ticket.
5. Specify your Source and Destination stations.
6. Indicate the number of tickets you wish to purchase.
7. Confirm your selection and proceed to make the payment using a Credit Card, Debit Card, or UPI.
8. After the transaction is complete, a QR code will appear in the WhatsApp chat box.
9. Upon reaching the metro station, simply tap the QR code against the designated scanner at the AFC gates for both entry and exit.

This introduction promises to enhance the efficiency and convenience of Delhi Metro travel, especially for national and international travelers heading to and from the airport. The DMRC has collaborated with PeLocal Fintech Private Limited to implement the chatbot service on WhatsApp, which is available in both English and Hindi languages. As part of this initiative, the gradual elimination of tokens has been planned, ushering in a new era of digital ticketing for Delhi's bustling metro system.