The Delhi Metro has expedited the process to decongest Rajiv Chowk station, the busiest in the entire network, as part of which the viewers gallery would be soon thrown open for passengers' movement.
DMRC authorities zeroed in on this solution after observing that "70 per cent" of the commuters enter Rajiv Chowk through the A and F blocks which fall on the same side.
"After opening of the viewers gallery for passengers, the passengers will be able to go to blocks B and D, without entering the platform and passing through the foot over bridge," a metro official explained.
As A and F blocks open to the Palika Bazaar side, a steady steam of passengers enters the station through that side. After security check comes the platform from which trains toward Dwarka leaves.
"But after the viewers gallery is thrown open, passengers going towards Noida would not have to enter the platform and then cross over to the other side via the foot over bridge. They can simply use the viewers gallery situated a level above the existing paid area," the official added.
DMRC MD Mangu Singh during a night inspection yesterday directed officials to work on the possibility on a priority basis and this is to be implemented soon.
Currently, the ridership of Rajiv Chowk stands at around 50,000 people daily, which goes up to around 5 lakh when interchange footfall is taken into account.
The operationalising of the Mandi House station did take load off Rajiv Chowk but on the other hand ridership also increased proportionally.
"The bright side of opening the Mandi House station is that passenger rush remained constant in the Rajiv Chowk instead of rising exponentially," a DMRC spokesperson said.
