Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu today directed the concerned officials to immediately take necessary measures to ensure full capacity utilization of Delhi Airport Metro Rail Line. On arriving from Hyderabad, the Minister travelled from Delhi International Airport to Shivaji Stadium terminal by the Airport Metro Rail Line. During the journey, Shri Naidu reviewed the functioning of the Airport Metro with the concerned officials including the Managing Director of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Shri Mangu Singh. The Minister expressed concern over under utilization of the rail line that was meant to facilitate fast and comfortable travel between the international airport and major centres of the national capital. During conversation with Shri Naidu, the passengers expressed immense satisfaction with the quality of the Airport Metro Rail Line services. Some of them suggested reduction in tariff, increased frequency of services, introduction of bus transport between Shivaji Stadium and major work and commercial centres of the capital.
Later speaking to the media, Venkaiah Naidu described the metro rail services including the Delhi Airport Metro as symbols of ‘modern India’ and they needed to be put to best optimal use. He directed the concerned officials to examine the suggestions made by the passengers for full capacity utilization of the Airport Metro Line that was built with substantial investments. He said, Central Government will give priority attention to connecting the adjoining cities of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. The Minister also suggested best use of the lands, buildings and other properties of metro stations for increasing revenues.Narrating his own experience of metro travel, Shri Naidu said that such emerging rail services offer the best and comfortable alternatives to road travel in urban areas marked by slow movement, pollution, traffic jams etc. The Minister announced that he would henceforth, avail the Delhi Airport Metro Line for commuting to and from the International Airport. Shri Naidu further said, he would urge his cabinet colleagues also to do like-wise.