Title - Metro Phase III will connect key markets in South Delhi

The four major commercial hubs of South Delhi will be connected via the Metro, once the Phase III of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation is complete (DMRC) in 2016.Officials in the Delhi Metro said Sarojini Nagar and South Extension will have dedicated stations, while the the existing stations at INA Market and Lajpat Nagar will be converted into interchange stations.The upcoming 59-km-long Mukundpur-Yamuna Vihar-Shiv Vihar corridor has been specially aligned from Bhikaji Cama Place towards Sarojini Nagar to provide direct connectivity.The line will further connect the other three shopping centres. According to a detailed project report (DPR) prepared by the DMRC, a surge in the Metro ridership is likely in the future. Officials expect about 2 lakh more passengers to use this mode of transport, primarily to reach these prominent markets in the city.The projections indicate that about 1.3 lakh people are likely to use the Delhi Metro to reach the INA Metro station. As many as 54,454 people are expected to use Lajpat Nagar station, 8,317 are expected on South Extension and 15,000 at Sarojini Nagar station, every day.“This will also provide a boost to the markets of South Delhi. The DMRC’s plan of constructing Metro stations at Sarojini Nagar, INA, South Extension and Lajpat Nagar with inter-station distances ranging from less than a kilometre to approximately one and a half kilometre. This will provide a great impetus to businesses in the area,” a senior DMRC official said.The underground Metro station at the Sarojini Nagar market will be below the MCD public convenience. The station will have two access points — one 20 metres from the main market and the other opposite Sarojini Nagar post office.Officials said no shops will be displaced but at least six residential buildings, with as many as 24 flats, will have to be demolished. “Since these are government quarters, the Ministry of Urban Development has agreed to rehabilitate the affected residents. We have already held community interaction programmes with the market association representatives, shopkeepers and residents in the area, to explain the project and have received a very enthusiastic response,” said a DMRC spokesperson.The DMRC has also drawn up a traffic integration plan for the Sarojini Nagar station, with separate drop-off bays for autorickshaws and vehicles.