Delhi Metro: 2022 marks new beginning

Guided by new leadership, Delhi Metro helped Delhi’ites restart their lives in the post-COVID world

NEW DELHI | Updated: 29 December, 2022 3:05 am IST
Delhi Metro played an important role in helping Delhi restart life in a post COVID world  (TNI Photo By Sumit Kumar)

As the country resumed its lives in the aftermath of COVID-induced lockdowns, Delhi Metro helped people in the National Capital restart their lives.

While the country bounced back from the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Delhi Metro too made a quick comeback as it returned to accelerate the work in areas of project management and operations.

The year also marked the beginning of a new era of leadership, with Vikas Kumar taking over as the 3rd Managing Director of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd.

Despite the challenges, it was a productive and fruitful year for Delhi Metro, with quick progress in the construction of the Phase – IV project.

Delhi Metro’s aggressive bidding saw them providing consultancy services in various countries, including Bangladesh, Israel, Indonesia, Bahrain, Mauritius and Egypt.

As the Delhi Metro gears up to welcome the New Year with a new gusto, here is a look at some of the important landmarks from 2022:

January 16: Delhi Metro Museum, Patel Chowk added two new attractive exhibits – an original pantograph used by trains to draw power and the models of various Metro trains currently operational across the country.

January 25: As part of the ongoing ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav – celebrating 75 years of India’s Independence’, a specially decorated Metro train was launched.

February 23: In line with the Government of India’s ‘Digital India’ initiative, the Delhi Metro launched its revamped official website and mobile application, which are among the world’s most feature-rich and advanced interactive digital platforms. A state-of-the-art mobile application of the DMRC was also launched for the greater convenience of passengers.

February 24: In a major historic step involving public-private partnership and enhanced indigenisation for the metro rail systems in India, the Delhi Metro has awarded the first contract for the lease and maintenance of lifts and escalators for the three priority corridors under its ongoing Phase-IV expansion.

February 25: Delhi Metro has entered into a contract with a consortium of M/S Revenue Collection Systems (Thales), France SAS and M/S Paytm Payments Bank Limited for the execution of the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) along with an upgrade of the complete ecosystem consisting of Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) system, which will also enable travel through QR Tickets, Account Based Tickets, and Near Field Communications (NFC) Media.

February 28: The DMRC and the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), as per which the DMRC shall provide technical assistance as well as execute finishing and service works for the construction of a Metro loop corridor to connect the existing Metro network with the new Central Secretariat buildings, which shall come up as part of the Central Vista Area Redevelopment project.

March 4: A dedicated skywalk, constructed by DMRC in collaboration with Northern Railway, between the Ajmeri Gate side of the New Delhi Railway station and the adjacent New Delhi Metro stations on the Yellow Line and Airport Express Line was opened for passengers.

March 15: The Delhi Metro has been conferred with the first prize at the prestigious ‘ASSOCHAM 10th Responsible Organisation Excellence Awards 2020-21’ under the category of “Unlisted Company with turnover More than 1000 Cr’.

March 29: The newly constructed additional interchange station on Line 5, which will provide interconnectivity between the Green Line and Pink Line at the Punjabi Bagh West Metro station of the Pink Line, was inaugurated.

April 1: Vikas Kumar assumed responsibility as the new Managing Director of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.

April 10: In order to further upgrade and strengthen the X-ray baggage scanning system (X-BIS system) at the security frisking points of Metro stations, the Delhi Metro has started introducing highly advanced and state-of-the-art baggage scanners at its metro stations in a phased manner.

May 3: The Delhi Metro celebrated its 28th Foundation Day.

May 23: The Delhi Metro launched its official account on the India-made social media platform ‘Koo’ with the username ‘OfficialDMRC’.

 

Despite the challenges, it was a productive and fruitful year for Delhi Metro, with quick progress in the construction of the Phase – IV project. (TNI Photo By Sumit Kumar)

 

July 21: The Delhi Metro, in collaboration with the Colombian Embassy in India, inaugurated an artwork painted by the renowned Colombian urban artist Laura Ortiz Hernández “Soma Difusa” on the station wall outside Vasant Vihar Metro Station.

August 18: In its continuous pursuit to introduce and adopt world-class training facilities at the Delhi Metro Rail Academy (DMRA), a state-of-the-art telepresence room and a modified ultramodern library were inaugurated by Vikas Kumar, Managing Director, DMRC.

August 28: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has built a state-of-the-art transit facility for the Indian Army at Delhi Cantonment.

August 31: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NBCC to construct a subway connecting the WTC Nauroji Nagar with the Bhikaji Cama Place Metro station on the Pink Line.

September 1: A unique permanent exhibition dedicated to the gallantry award recipients of the Indian Armed Forces and the journey of India’s most successful urban transit project, the Delhi Metro, was inaugurated at the Rajouri Garden Metro station by Vikas Kumar, Managing Director.

September 30: A film titled ‘Surmounting Challenges’ produced by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), has won the Best Promotional Film Award (Non-Feature Film) at the 68th National Film Awards 2020.

November 7: The Delhi Metro signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the development of an indigenous communication-based train control system (i-CBTC).

November 8: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has introduced its first-ever set of two 8-coach trains, which have been converted from the existing fleet of 39 six-coach trains, for passenger services on the Red Line.

December 9: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has been honoured with a Certificate of Commendation by the Japanese Embassy in India, in recognition of its distinguished contribution to the enhancement of mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and India.

December 24: Delhi Metro celebrated the landmark moment of completing 20 years of successful metro operations in the national capital region.

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