Title - Airport Metro shuts down, help desk for passengers Repair To Start After Inspection By DMRC, R-Infra

New Delhi: For thousands of commuters who travelled by Airport Metro Express, Sunday meant the end of comfortable journeys as the line shut down for repairs. Expected to open only by the end of August, the high-speed line was the preferred option for those who wanted to avoid the crowds of the Dwarka line or those travelling from IGI.
    The repair is scheduled to start after a joint inspection by a Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and Reliance Infrastructure. The committee, to be headed by Indian Railways, will file its report in 10 days.
    On Sunday, those coming to the stations of Airport Metro Express found only help desks set up. Public notices were pasted at all six stations on the network that operations have been closed down for the time being. Help desks were set up at all stations to provide necessary information to passengers who came to board the train. Sources said the desks would continue to function for the next few days to help commuters. They also said commuters, who have recharged their monthly coupons, can get refund at the helpdesks located at all stations.
    The line has to be re-certified by the commissioner of Metro rail safety before it begins commercial operations. The temporary suspension of the corridor was undertaken after R-Infra carried out an independent inspection of the elevated stretch and found “major defects” along the stretch.
    The report had found that of the 2,100 bearings that have been fitted along the elevated alignment, over 230 were defective. Sources said many of the bearings would need to be replaced while the concrete above and below the bearings will need to be repaired. On Saturday, the urban development ministry had admitted that there were problems with the bearing, the interface between the pillar and girder.
    The repair work will be undertaken by DMRC after which safety tests will be carried out.