Book on Delhi Metro released to help tourists during CWG

New Delhi, Jun 26 (UNI) In an effort to make commuting in the capital more convenient, especially for tourists, ahead of Commonwealth Games, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today released a guide book on Delhi Metro.

The book written by Dr M Ramachandaran, Secretary, Union Ministry of Urban Development and Chairman, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited (DMRC), gives station-wise details of interest to the metro users.

''The Delhi Metro has changed the travelling scenario in the city altogether. With the network's commencement, problems of pollution, congestion on roads, time wastage and cleanliness have been contained,'' the Chief Minister said while addressing
mediapersons.

The book titled 'Delhi Metro Stations and Surroundings' provides details of 143 stations with their classification, commencement date, location, facilities available, frequency of train services, availability of parking and footfalls received at the station.

The books, released earlier, have been of great help to the youth of the capital, especially the college students, who are now able to reach their classes and movie shows on time, she quipped. The Chief Minister expressed pleasure on the book as it also gives information on other modes of transport in the city.

''Many of us do not know which bus to catch from which Metro station to reach our destination. It has all the information about the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus stands,'' she said.

The book would also give one an insight into the locality in which the station is situated with landmarks nearby viz educational institutions, religious places, sports centres, health institutions, places of historical and tourist interest,
among others.

Referring to the Delhi Metro's expanding network, the Chief Minister said soon it will cover 190-km-long route and it is bound to become the life-line of the city after completion of Phase III and Phase IV when its total network length will be
around 414 km. Express Airport Line and other routes will prove to be very helpful during Commonwealth Games, she added.

DMRC Managing Director E Sreedharan, who was present on the occasion, described Dr Ramachandaran's tenure as Chairman of DMRC as a Golden Era of the Delhi Metro. Dr Ramachandaran expressed confidence that the book, priced at Rs 100, will become a valuable guide to Metro users and visitors.

''The book is also a great source of knowledge for people who do not know the meaning of terms like gauge over which they travel daily,'' he said. The book will be available at all Metro stations in a week's time. ''Interested readers will be able to avail the book from the Station Managers,'' DMRC chief PRO Anuj Dayal told UNI.

Petrol dealers threaten to observe every Monday as off day

New Delhi, May 12 (UNI) Resorting to protest against hike in VAT on diesel, petrol dealers in the city have called for a one-day strike on May 14 and have decided to observe every Monday as an off-day to cut cost.

''We will be observing a protest closure on May 14 on all petrol pumps while every Monday, starting May 24, will be observed as off day. We are doing this as we have been pushed to a very tight corner and have no other option,'' Ajay Bansal, President, Delhi NCR Petrol Dealers Association, said today.

The association had decided to go on a similar strike on May 9 also but on the assurance given by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, it was postponed.

The dealers claimed that despite a massive drop in sales figures of April 2010, no positive response has come from the city government.

They said they have lost substantial business to Haryana and Uttar Pradesh ever since the Delhi government hiked the VAT rate on diesel. While diesel in Haryana is cheaper by Rs 3.50 per litre, it costs 70 paise less in UP.

''Due to this price differential, a huge revenue loss to the tune of Rs 350 crore per annum will be incurred,'' Mr Bansal claimed.

In April 2010, Delhi sold 64,363 kilolitres diesel and VAT collected on this sale amounted to Rs 40.17 crore. In April 2009, Delhi had sold 105,903 kilolitres diesel and VAT collected was Rs 35.6 crore.

Delhi Gate BRT corridor ready for commissioning: Sheila

New Delhi, Jan 20 (UNI) The remaining portion of the Delhi BRT corridor from Moolchand to Delhi Gate is ready for commissioning, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said here today.

''The first stretch of the Delhi BRT corridor from Ambedkar Nagar to Moolchand has been operational since April 2008. The remaining portion of this 14.5-km-corridor from Moolchand to Delhi Gate is ready for commissioning,'' Ms Dikshit said.

She asserted that the corridor carried maximum number of passengers and ''is bound to cater to the local needs.''

''The next BRT corridor in the capital, will be constructed keeping in view the experiences and feedback received from all concerned sections,'' she stated while referring to the new route chalked out in east Delhi, linking Shastri Park Metro Station to Karawal Nagar.

The Chief Minister was addressing a two-day symposium on Public Transportation in Indian cities with a special focus on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) organised by the Delhi Integrated Multi-modal Transit System (DIMTS) Limited here.

Transport Commissioner R K Verma, CMD Naresh Kumar, MD (DIMTS) SN Sahai, Bhure Lal, Director UITP (International Association of Public Transport) Brussels, Tony Dufays and Youth Project Coordinator, UITP Brussels Alessandra Gorini were also present at
the inaugural session.

Emphasising that an effective green transport system played a crucial role in economic development, she said the government was keen to overcome incidents of traffic jams by providing a quick, safe, pollution-free, comfortable public transport system to discourage use of private vehicles.

''The government is going to double its green bus fleet from current strength of 5,500 to 11,000, with all of them being low floor, including air-conditioned,'' she said.

Bus stops were also being made wheelchair accessible, opening up travel opportunity for the differently-able and those travelling with young children, she said.

Delhi Metro would also be one of the largest systems in the world by 2020 with the route network extending to 413 km, she added.