New Delhi: A pedestrian subway connecting the existing metro station of the Airport Express Line at Delhi airport’s Terminal 3 with Terminal 2 is likely to be ready by the end of the year. Once completed, the subway will significantly reduce the walking distance between the two terminals from nearly 750 metres to about 80 metres.At present, passengers either walk or take a shuttle bus to cover the distance. The subway, which will be equipped with escalators, will significantly ease their problems of having to walk with luggage.Work on the subway started in June last year. It is being executed by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), along with Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL).“Access to T2 from Delhi Metro’s T3 station will become seamless through the subway. It is expected to greatly improve ease of movement, save time, and provide a safe and smooth transit experience for passengers,” said a DMRC official, adding that it marks another important step in strengthening passenger-centric infrastructure at Delhi airport.A DIAL spokesperson said the modern pedestrian subway will improve last-mile connectivity for passengers travelling to and from T2. “It will enable direct access to T2 from the metro station, ensuring seamless connectivity and greater convenience for passengers,” said the spokesperson.The project is being executed using the advanced box-pushing method and includes the construction of pushing and receiving shafts, entry and exit points, integration with the existing metro station, and architectural finishing works.“In the box-pushing method, vertical excavation or large-scale digging is not required. This method is much faster than the conventional cut-and-cover technology generally used for the construction of subways. It is being used keeping in consideration the presence of utilities and buildings in the surrounding areas, limited space availability and traffic management concerns,” a DMRC official had said earlier.The Airport Express Line is currently the fastest metro corridor in DMRC’s network, with trains running at a speed of 120 kmph.
