Delhi Metro ride to become more comfortable

A ride in the Delhi Metro train is likely to become more comfortable with DMRC planning to roll out 83 broad gauge trains, which will be more faster than the present ones, by 2011 at a cost of Rs 2,984 crore (Rs 29.84 billion).

Some of the facilities of the new trains are a high capacity air-conditioning system, heat and humidity control system, sockets for charging mobile phones and laptops and CCTVs to keep a watch on passengers' misconduct.

The first train of this bunch is likely to hit the tracks in the first week of October with the Commissioner of Railway Safety giving the nod for starting the services.

The process for procuring 424 coaches from German-based Bombardier is on and officials would assemble 37 four-car and 46 six-car trains, which will be used to run services on the Dwarka-Anand Vihar and Dwarka-Noida and Jehangirpuri-Shashank Lok Line.

"The first broad gauge train is likely to roll out in the first week of next month. The trains are designed keeping in mind passengers' comfort," H S Anand, director of Metro's rolling stock separtment said.

Thirty-six coaches will be built in Germany's Gorlitz while the rest will be made in Gujarat's Savli, he said.

Detailing on the specialities, Anand said the maximum operational speed of the new trains will be 85 km per hour while the existing ones can increase the speed up to 80 km per hour.