Dedicated metro stations for Red Fort, Jama Masjid by 2016

New Delhi: Dodging puddles in the narrow lanes of the Walled City just to catch a glimpse of the imperial Red Fort and the famous Jama Masjid will soon be a thing of the past with both monuments getting dedicated Metro stations under the Delhi Metro’s Phase-III project. As part of the project, the 16th century Mughal monument Humayun’s Tomb in South Delhi will also be connected by Metro and the line is expected to be completed in the first half of 2016. [caption id=“attachment_218029” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Both the proposed Red Fort (in the pic) and Jama Masjid stations will be located on the Central Secretariat-Kashmere Gate corridor. Reuters”]  [/caption] According to Metro officials, setting up of stations near monuments is aimed at ensuring hassle-free travel for visitors and tourists to historically significant places. “The completion of the third phase of Delhi Metro’s construction is expected to boost tourism in Old Delhi as the heritage monuments in the area will become connected by the Metro,” a Delhi Metro spokesman said. Though Old Delhi already has Metro connectivity, one has to alight at the Chandni Chowk station and walk through the by-lanes of the Walled City to catch of glimpse of Red Fort or Jama Masjid. Both the proposed Red Fort and Jama Masjid stations will be located on the Central Secretariat-Kashmere Gate corridor that will pass through a number of heritage structures. Phase-III, which will connect another 103 km of the capital through Metro, will also provide easy access to Lotus Temple as it will have direct Metro connectivity from Noida and many other areas of Outer Ring Road. PTI