Nepal-based airline Buddha Air plane landed at an airport 250 miles from its intended destination due to a communications mix-up.

On December 18 Buddha Air flight from Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport had been scheduled to land at the southern city of Janakpur, but instead travelled to the city of Pokhara, about 250 miles away.

The weather was not quite favourable for the flights on Friday so carriers were making use of every available weather window to take the passengers on board as quickly as possible and take off, the report said.

Buddha Air's flight U4505 was cleared to take off for Janakpur airport in the plains.

Passengers were taken in and the plane took off, with its estimated arrival time at Janakpur by 3:15 pm. When it took off, it had already been delayed. But when it landed, it actually landed in Pokhara instead of the destination airport.

According to the preliminary report, due to weather issues, flights to Pokhara were permitted until 3 pm under the visual flight rules (VFR).

The VFR is a set of regulations under which a pilot operates an aircraft in weather conditions generally clear enough to allow the pilot to see where the aircraft is going.

"The weather was already causing flight delays and to make up for the flying time, Buddha Air officials decided to fly to Pokhara first," said an official at the airline company.

Accordingly, the flight number was changed and the mix-up happened.

Buddha Air admitted to serious lapses on its side, the report said.

Birendra Bahadur Basnet, Managing Director of the carrier, told the Post that they have formed a committee to investigate the incident.

"The difference in flight schedule between Janakpur and Pokhara was 15 to 20 minutes," said an official.

"The ground staff transferred [on paper] 69 passengers of flight U4505 to flight U4607 which actually was cleared for Pokhara by the air traffic controllers," said the official.

Everything was in the right order but the ground staff and the flight attendant failed to brief the flight's captain and co-pilot that the flight's number had been changed, according to the official.

"The flight attendant did make an announcement on the flight that it was heading to Janakpur," said the official.

"There was a miscommunication between the ground staff and the pilots," said the official.

"The flying pilots also did not look at the passengers' manifest."

Aviation experts say such incidents may happen, but they happen quite rarely.

Tri Ratna Manandhar, a former director-general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, said this is the second incident of such kind in Nepal's aviation history in the last two and a half-decades.

In 1993, a Twin Otter of the Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation had landed in Simara airport which was supposed to land in Bharatpur airport.

"The Buddha Air incident happened due to miscommunication. It's not part of safety lapses but it's a serious lapse on the part of management," said Manandhar.

(With inputs from agencies)

Nepal-based airline Buddha Air plane landed at an airport 250 miles from its intended destination due to a communications mix-up. On December 18 Buddha Air flight from Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport had been scheduled to land at the southern city of Janakpur, but instead travelled to the city of Pokhara, about 250 miles away.

Nepal-based airline Buddha Air plane landed at an airport 250 miles from its intended destination due to a communications mix-up. On December 18 Buddha Air flight from Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport had been scheduled to land at the southern city of Janakpur, but instead travelled to the city of Pokhara, about 250 miles away. The weather was not quite favourable for the flights on Friday so carriers were making use of every available weather window to take the passengers on board as quickly as possible and take off, the report said. Buddha Air's flight U4505 was cleared to take off for Janakpur airport in the plains. Passengers were taken in and the plane took off, with its estimated arrival time at Janakpur by 3:15 pm. When it took off, it had already been delayed. But when it landed, it actually landed in Pokhara instead of the destination airport. According to the preliminary report, due to weather issues, flights to Pokhara were permitted until 3 pm under the visual flight rules (VFR). The VFR is a set of regulations under which a pilot operates an aircraft in weather conditions generally clear enough to allow the pilot to see where the aircraft is going. "The weather was already causing flight delays and to make up for the flying time, Buddha Air officials decided to fly to Pokhara first," said an official at the airline company. Accordingly, the flight number was changed and the mix-up happened. Buddha Air admitted to serious lapses on its side, the report said. Birendra Bahadur Basnet, Managing Director of the carrier, told the Post that they have formed a committee to investigate the incident. "The difference in flight schedule between Janakpur and Pokhara was 15 to 20 minutes," said an official. "The ground staff transferred [on paper] 69 passengers of flight U4505 to flight U4607 which actually was cleared for Pokhara by the air traffic controllers," said the official. Everything was in the right order but the ground staff and the flight attendant failed to brief the flight's captain and co-pilot that the flight's number had been changed, according to the official. "The flight attendant did make an announcement on the flight that it was heading to Janakpur," said the official. "There was a miscommunication between the ground staff and the pilots," said the official. "The flying pilots also did not look at the passengers' manifest." Aviation experts say such incidents may happen, but they happen quite rarely. Tri Ratna Manandhar, a former director-general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, said this is the second incident of such kind in Nepal's aviation history in the last two and a half-decades. In 1993, a Twin Otter of the Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation had landed in Simara airport which was supposed to land in Bharatpur airport. "The Buddha Air incident happened due to miscommunication. It's not part of safety lapses but it's a serious lapse on the part of management," said Manandhar. (With inputs from agencies)

Headed for Janakpur, lands at Pokhara: Nepal’s Buddha Air flew passengers to wrong airport

Nepal has started the procurement process to launch railway services from Janakpur in Nepal to Jayanagar in India, for which Indian companies have been approached.

The Government of Nepal had, on January 13, gave a go-ahead for the procurement process following which the Department of Railways, under the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, started preparations for the purchase of rails.

"The Department has sent proposals to Indian government companies towards that end, and some of them have responded to the proposals,''&nbsp;the state news agency RSS reported.

Though the Government of Nepal allocated NRs 500 million for the purchase of two trains for the service, the Department has stated that at least NRs 1.5 billion would be required for the purchase of rails.

The newly upgraded railway line between Nepal and India would cover a total distance of 35 kilometres in the first phase, for which the trial has already been carried out.

The total length of the Bardibas-Janakpur-Jayanagar-Kurtha-Bijayapura is 69 kilometres.&nbsp;

Nepal has started the procurement process to launch railway services from Janakpur in Nepal to Jayanagar in India, for which Indian companies have been approached.

Nepal has started the procurement process to launch railway services from Janakpur in Nepal to Jayanagar in India, for which Indian companies have been approached. The Government of Nepal had, on January 13, gave a go-ahead for the procurement process following which the Department of Railways, under the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, started preparations for the purchase of rails. "The Department has sent proposals to Indian government companies towards that end, and some of them have responded to the proposals,'' the state news agency RSS reported. Though the Government of Nepal allocated NRs 500 million for the purchase of two trains for the service, the Department has stated that at least NRs 1.5 billion would be required for the purchase of rails. The newly upgraded railway line between Nepal and India would cover a total distance of 35 kilometres in the first phase, for which the trial has already been carried out. The total length of the Bardibas-Janakpur-Jayanagar-Kurtha-Bijayapura is 69 kilometres.

Nepal starts Janakpur-Jayanagar railway procurement process, approaches Indian companies

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today apologised for saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed lakhs of "Indians" in Nepal's Janakpur recently.

She posted a tweeted an apology after people on Twitter, including a Parliamentarian from Nepal, pointed out that Modi addressed Nepali people in Janakpur earlier this month and not Indians.&nbsp

"This was a mistake on my part. I sincerely apologise for this," Swaraj tweeted tonight along with a video of her comments about Modi's efforts to reach out to Indian dispora abroad, including in Nepal.

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This was a mistake on my part. I sincerely apologise for this. <a href="https://t.co/S1CpLv8uu0">pic.twitter.com/S1CpLv8uu0</a>
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/1001145977087012864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Earlier addressing a press conference on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the NDA government, Swaraj said no prime minister before Modi had tried to reach out to the Indian diaspora at such a large scale.

"Narendra Modi is the first prime minister of the country who has from America's Madison Square to Janakpur (in Nepal) addressed lakhs of Indians and reached out to them," Swaraj had said.

Nepali Congress leader and Parliamentarian Gagan Thapa criticised Swaraj for the comments and wondered whether it was a "casual undermining of Nepal's sovereignty".

"Regrettable that India's External Affairs Minister @SushmaSwaraj described Janakpur's population that @narendramodi greeted as Indians. One wonders what the confusion was, or if this was casual undermining of Nepal's sovereignty," he tweeted.&nbsp 
&nbsp

Nepali Congress leader and Parliamentarian Gagan Thapa had criticised Swaraj for the comments

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today apologised for saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed lakhs of "Indians" in Nepal's Janakpur recently. She posted a tweeted an apology after people on Twitter, including a Parliamentarian from Nepal, pointed out that Modi addressed Nepali people in Janakpur earlier this month and not Indians. "This was a mistake on my part. I sincerely apologise for this," Swaraj tweeted tonight along with a video of her comments about Modi's efforts to reach out to Indian dispora abroad, including in Nepal. This was a mistake on my part. I sincerely apologise for this. pic.twitter.com/S1CpLv8uu0 — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 28, 2018 × Earlier addressing a press conference on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the NDA government, Swaraj said no prime minister before Modi had tried to reach out to the Indian diaspora at such a large scale. "Narendra Modi is the first prime minister of the country who has from America's Madison Square to Janakpur (in Nepal) addressed lakhs of Indians and reached out to them," Swaraj had said. Nepali Congress leader and Parliamentarian Gagan Thapa criticised Swaraj for the comments and wondered whether it was a "casual undermining of Nepal's sovereignty". "Regrettable that India's External Affairs Minister @SushmaSwaraj described Janakpur's population that @narendramodi greeted as Indians. One wonders what the confusion was, or if this was casual undermining of Nepal's sovereignty," he tweeted.

Modi's address in Janakpur: Sushma Swaraj apologises for mistake

PM Modi arrived at<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pm-modi-arrives-in-nepal-to-push-development-projects-bus-service-136035">&nbsp;Janakpur in Nepal today on a two-day </a>visit and immediately travelled to Janaki temple to offer prayers.

This is Indian prime minister's third visit to the Himalayan kingdom since he came to power in 2014.

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WATCH LIVE from Nepal: PM Modi at the launch of Janakpur-Ayodhya bus service <a href="https://t.co/CiXaEC8vpT">https://t.co/CiXaEC8vpT</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/994820674941222912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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After offering prayers at the temple, PM Modi met his Nepalese counterpart KP Oli inside the temple complex as the two leaders exchanged views on India-Nepal relations.

PM Modi and Nepalese PM Oli flagged off the Janakpur-Ayodhya bus service as the two countries sought to reset India-Nepal ties.

"I am happy that Nepal PM came all the way from Kathmandu," PM Modi said with prime minister Oli at his side.

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India and Nepal will work towards building 'Ramayan' circuit between both the countries. This will act as foundation for strong people to people contact between the two nations :PM Modi at the launch of bus service between Janakpur-Ayodhya, in Janakpur <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Nepal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Nepal</a> <a href="https://t.co/yzxi1XY4ko">pic.twitter.com/yzxi1XY4ko</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/994821562418257921?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"I am honoured to visite Janaki temple," the Indian prime minister added.

During his visit, the Indian prime minister will push for development projects between the two countries.

"Ramayan circuit will boost tourism," the prime minister noted, adding, "this will act as a foundation for strong people-to-people contact between the two nations."

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WATCH: PM Narendra Modi offers prayers at Janki Temple in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Nepal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Nepal</a>'s Janakpur <a href="https://t.co/a0alC1YvCV">pic.twitter.com/a0alC1YvCV</a>
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&nbsp;

During his visit, the Indian prime minister will push for development projects between the two countries.

PM Modi arrived at Janakpur in Nepal today on a two-day visit and immediately travelled to Janaki temple to offer prayers. This is Indian prime minister's third visit to the Himalayan kingdom since he came to power in 2014. WATCH LIVE from Nepal: PM Modi at the launch of Janakpur-Ayodhya bus service https://t.co/CiXaEC8vpT — ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2018 × After offering prayers at the temple, PM Modi met his Nepalese counterpart KP Oli inside the temple complex as the two leaders exchanged views on India-Nepal relations. PM Modi and Nepalese PM Oli flagged off the Janakpur-Ayodhya bus service as the two countries sought to reset India-Nepal ties. "I am happy that Nepal PM came all the way from Kathmandu," PM Modi said with prime minister Oli at his side. India and Nepal will work towards building 'Ramayan' circuit between both the countries. This will act as foundation for strong people to people contact between the two nations :PM Modi at the launch of bus service between Janakpur-Ayodhya, in Janakpur #Nepal pic.twitter.com/yzxi1XY4ko — ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2018 × "I am honoured to visite Janaki temple," the Indian prime minister added. During his visit, the Indian prime minister will push for development projects between the two countries. "Ramayan circuit will boost tourism," the prime minister noted, adding, "this will act as a foundation for strong people-to-people contact between the two nations." WATCH: PM Narendra Modi offers prayers at Janki Temple in #Nepal's Janakpur pic.twitter.com/a0alC1YvCV — ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2018 ×

Modi, Nepal PM Oli flag off Janakpur-Ayodhya bus service

Nepal is all set to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Modi will begin his official trip from May 11 and will visit three cities - Kathmandu, Muktinath and Janakpur - in two days.

Speedy implementation of key India-assisted projects and building trust will be among the focus areas of the visit. Government sources said that during Modi's two-day visit, India will seek to consolidate relationship with the new Nepalese government of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli who has returned to power riding on a spectacular electoral victory and now leads a stable dispensation after years of political instability.

PM Modi will arrive in Janakpur's Baarhabigha on Friday by a chopper from Patna in Bihar. The Prime Minister will address a public rally and visit the historic Janakpur temple where he will be accompanied by his Nepalese counterpart. Modi will be given a civic reception at Janakpur. In the afternoon, he will travel to Kathmandu where he will meet the Nepalese President, Vice President and hold wide-ranging talks with Oli.

Modi and Oli are likely to sign a number of pacts and lay the foundation for Rs 6,000-crore Arun 3 project, the biggest hydel power project being built in Nepal. It is expected to generate around 900 MW of power.

In Kathmandu, Modi will also meet former Nepalse prime ministers Sher Bahadur Deuba and Pushpa Kamal Dahal, popularly known as Prachanda, besides the leaders of two Madhesi parties.

The remote Mustang region is also a part of PM Modi's itinerary. In Mustang, the Indian PM will visit pilgrimage site of Muktinath which is a sacred place for both Hindusand Buddhists. Within Hinduism, it is called Mukti Kshetra, which literally means the "place of liberation or moksh". This temple is considered to be 106th among the available 108 Divya Desam considered sacred by the Sri Vaishnava sect.

The leaders of the two countries will also take this opportunity to deliberate on implementation of the ambitious rail project to link Kathmandu with Raxaul in Bihar and connecting landlocked Nepal with river transport system with India, apart from several other key connectivity projects, sources said.

Modi's visit to Nepal comes a little more than a month after Prime Minister Oli visited India. Oli had invited Modi to his country. During Oli's visit, both sides had vowed to step up the overall engagement and take the relationship to newer heights on the basis of "equality, mutual trust and respect".

The intention is to build on PM Oli's visit and and carry forward pending proposals.

India is Nepal's largest trade partner and the largest source of foreign investment, besides providing transit for Nepal's traders. India accounts for over two-third of Nepal's merchandise trade, about one-third of trade in services, 46 per cent of foreign direct investment, almost 100 per cent of petroleum supplies and a significant share of inward remittance on account of pensioners and workers.

This will be Modi's third to Nepal after taking over as PM in 2014. After talks with Oli last month, Modi had said India would always stand by Nepal in its quest for all-round growth, asserting that deeper cooperation between the two neighbours would strengthen democracy in that country.

(With inputs from agencies)

Modi's visit to Nepal comes a little more than a month after Prime Minister Oli visited India.

Nepal is all set to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Modi will begin his official trip from May 11 and will visit three cities - Kathmandu, Muktinath and Janakpur - in two days. Speedy implementation of key India-assisted projects and building trust will be among the focus areas of the visit. Government sources said that during Modi's two-day visit, India will seek to consolidate relationship with the new Nepalese government of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli who has returned to power riding on a spectacular electoral victory and now leads a stable dispensation after years of political instability. PM Modi will arrive in Janakpur's Baarhabigha on Friday by a chopper from Patna in Bihar. The Prime Minister will address a public rally and visit the historic Janakpur temple where he will be accompanied by his Nepalese counterpart. Modi will be given a civic reception at Janakpur. In the afternoon, he will travel to Kathmandu where he will meet the Nepalese President, Vice President and hold wide-ranging talks with Oli. Modi and Oli are likely to sign a number of pacts and lay the foundation for Rs 6,000-crore Arun 3 project, the biggest hydel power project being built in Nepal. It is expected to generate around 900 MW of power. In Kathmandu, Modi will also meet former Nepalse prime ministers Sher Bahadur Deuba and Pushpa Kamal Dahal, popularly known as Prachanda, besides the leaders of two Madhesi parties. The remote Mustang region is also a part of PM Modi's itinerary. In Mustang, the Indian PM will visit pilgrimage site of Muktinath which is a sacred place for both Hindusand Buddhists. Within Hinduism, it is called Mukti Kshetra, which literally means the "place of liberation or moksh". This temple is considered to be 106th among the available 108 Divya Desam considered sacred by the Sri Vaishnava sect. The leaders of the two countries will also take this opportunity to deliberate on implementation of the ambitious rail project to link Kathmandu with Raxaul in Bihar and connecting landlocked Nepal with river transport system with India, apart from several other key connectivity projects, sources said. Modi's visit to Nepal comes a little more than a month after Prime Minister Oli visited India. Oli had invited Modi to his country. During Oli's visit, both sides had vowed to step up the overall engagement and take the relationship to newer heights on the basis of "equality, mutual trust and respect". The intention is to build on PM Oli's visit and and carry forward pending proposals. India is Nepal's largest trade partner and the largest source of foreign investment, besides providing transit for Nepal's traders. India accounts for over two-third of Nepal's merchandise trade, about one-third of trade in services, 46 per cent of foreign direct investment, almost 100 per cent of petroleum supplies and a significant share of inward remittance on account of pensioners and workers. This will be Modi's third to Nepal after taking over as PM in 2014. After talks with Oli last month, Modi had said India would always stand by Nepal in its quest for all-round growth, asserting that deeper cooperation between the two neighbours would strengthen democracy in that country. (With inputs from agencies)

PM Modi begins his Nepal visit on Friday, to focus on building trust

The new Magenta Line of the Delhi Metro that will directly connect Kalkaji in south Delhi to Noida, has many firsts to its credit, including platform screen doors (PSDs) and a hi-tech signalling technology for movement of trains, officials said on Friday.

The 12.64-km section, part of the upcoming Botanical Garden (Noida)-Janakpuri West (Delhi) corridor, has nine stations and is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 25.

&quot;This Line will have many firsts to its credit. For the first time in India, trains will run unattended. The platform screen doors (PSDs) are being used here for the first time,&quot; DMRC chief spokesperson Anuj Dayal said.

PSDs, installed to enhance commuter safety, are glass- made screens installed near the edge of platforms that open only when a train arrives and shut after it departs.

&quot;Besides, a new-age technology, Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling technology will be used that can facilitate movement of trains with a frequency of 90 to 100 seconds, will also be pressed into service,&quot; Dayal said.

He was interacting with reporters after a preview of the corridor, ahead of its mega launch on Christmas.

Initially trains will operate with the frequency of five minutes and 14 seconds on this section, the DMRC said.

After the new section of the Delhi Metro is opened, commuters will be able to travel directly to the Kalkaji Mandir Metro Station from Botanical Garden in 19 minutes. The travel time Blue and Violet lines of the metro takes 52 minutes with interchange point at the Mandi House station.

&quot;The new line would be officially launched by the Hon&#39;ble Prime Minister in the afternoon at the newly-built Kalkaji Metro Station of the Magenta Line. From 5 PM it would be open to the public,&quot; Dayal said.

Dayal and other DMRC officials also said that the recent accident at the Kalindi Kunj Metro depot was purely a &quot;human error&quot; during maintenance, and there was no reason to worry.

Metro&#39;s new generation trains, which can run without drivers, will run on this section aided by the CBTC signalling technology.

&quot;The trains would essentially be driverless, but there would be roving attendants. We would keep this mechanism say for a year or two.

&quot;We would get passengers feedback on this and once we realise that we have people&#39;s confidence, we will remove those attendants, to make them fully driverless,&quot; the chief spokesperson said.

A senior DMRC official, who was present at the interaction, said, &quot;passengers safety is our utmost concern and it has been taken care of on this line&quot;.

While the Kalkaji Mandir station falls in Delhi, the Botanical Garden station is located in Noida.

The old Kalakaji Mandir station is part of the Violet Line (Kahmere Gate-Escorts Mujesar) and the old Botanical Garden is part of the Blue Line (Dwarka-Noida City Centre).

The Botanical Garden has been developed as the metro&#39;s first-ever inter-change station outside the boundaries of Delhi.

Dayal said the new line would also prove economical for commuters, besides saving time.

&quot;The 28-km stretch between the Kalkaji Mandir and Botanical Garden costs Rs 50. Now, with direct connectivity, the ride has been reduced to 12 km, costing Rs 30,&quot; he said.

The DMRC authorities said that 10 trains would operate on this new line, while two would be kept on reserve.

The coaches running on this line have electronic information display, power charging capacity, including directly through USB ports, and colourful seats of different shades. They also have enhanced carrying capacity.

The new trains are also energy efficient and save about 20 per cent of energy, the DMRC said.

&quot;The trains on this line will have six cars, four of them would be driving cars,&quot; Dayal said.

The new stations have been tastefully decorated, reflecting themes of nature, Yoga, and cultural landmarks.

At the new Kalkaji Mandir station, ceramic murals of the Lotus Temple, ISKCON Temple and nature-themed artworks, and paintings showing birds have been displayed.

Seven stations of the line are in Delhi - Kalindi Kunj, Jasola Vihar, Shaheen Bagh, Okhla Vihar, Jamia Milia Islamia, Sukhdev Vihar, Okhla NSIC and Kalkaji Mandir. Two stations are in Noida - Botanical Garden Metro station and Okhla Birds Sanctuary.

The ride from the Botanical Garden station to the Okhla Birds Sanctuary station offers breathtaking view of the sanctuary. Also, metro&#39;s third bridge over the Yamuna has come up at the Kalindi Kunj on this section. It runs parallel to the the Okhla Barrage.

The 12.64-km section, part of the upcoming Botanical Garden (Noida)-Janakpuri West (Delhi) corridor, has nine stations and is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 25.

The new Magenta Line of the Delhi Metro that will directly connect Kalkaji in south Delhi to Noida, has many firsts to its credit, including platform screen doors (PSDs) and a hi-tech signalling technology for movement of trains, officials said on Friday. The 12.64-km section, part of the upcoming Botanical Garden (Noida)-Janakpuri West (Delhi) corridor, has nine stations and is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 25. "This Line will have many firsts to its credit. For the first time in India, trains will run unattended. The platform screen doors (PSDs) are being used here for the first time," DMRC chief spokesperson Anuj Dayal said. PSDs, installed to enhance commuter safety, are glass- made screens installed near the edge of platforms that open only when a train arrives and shut after it departs. "Besides, a new-age technology, Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling technology will be used that can facilitate movement of trains with a frequency of 90 to 100 seconds, will also be pressed into service," Dayal said. He was interacting with reporters after a preview of the corridor, ahead of its mega launch on Christmas. Initially trains will operate with the frequency of five minutes and 14 seconds on this section, the DMRC said. After the new section of the Delhi Metro is opened, commuters will be able to travel directly to the Kalkaji Mandir Metro Station from Botanical Garden in 19 minutes. The travel time Blue and Violet lines of the metro takes 52 minutes with interchange point at the Mandi House station. "The new line would be officially launched by the Hon'ble Prime Minister in the afternoon at the newly-built Kalkaji Metro Station of the Magenta Line. From 5 PM it would be open to the public," Dayal said. Dayal and other DMRC officials also said that the recent accident at the Kalindi Kunj Metro depot was purely a "human error" during maintenance, and there was no reason to worry. Metro's new generation trains, which can run without drivers, will run on this section aided by the CBTC signalling technology. "The trains would essentially be driverless, but there would be roving attendants. We would keep this mechanism say for a year or two. "We would get passengers feedback on this and once we realise that we have people's confidence, we will remove those attendants, to make them fully driverless," the chief spokesperson said. A senior DMRC official, who was present at the interaction, said, "passengers safety is our utmost concern and it has been taken care of on this line". While the Kalkaji Mandir station falls in Delhi, the Botanical Garden station is located in Noida. The old Kalakaji Mandir station is part of the Violet Line (Kahmere Gate-Escorts Mujesar) and the old Botanical Garden is part of the Blue Line (Dwarka-Noida City Centre). The Botanical Garden has been developed as the metro's first-ever inter-change station outside the boundaries of Delhi. Dayal said the new line would also prove economical for commuters, besides saving time. "The 28-km stretch between the Kalkaji Mandir and Botanical Garden costs Rs 50. Now, with direct connectivity, the ride has been reduced to 12 km, costing Rs 30," he said. The DMRC authorities said that 10 trains would operate on this new line, while two would be kept on reserve. The coaches running on this line have electronic information display, power charging capacity, including directly through USB ports, and colourful seats of different shades. They also have enhanced carrying capacity. The new trains are also energy efficient and save about 20 per cent of energy, the DMRC said. "The trains on this line will have six cars, four of them would be driving cars," Dayal said. The new stations have been tastefully decorated, reflecting themes of nature, Yoga, and cultural landmarks. At the new Kalkaji Mandir station, ceramic murals of the Lotus Temple, ISKCON Temple and nature-themed artworks, and paintings showing birds have been displayed. Seven stations of the line are in Delhi - Kalindi Kunj, Jasola Vihar, Shaheen Bagh, Okhla Vihar, Jamia Milia Islamia, Sukhdev Vihar, Okhla NSIC and Kalkaji Mandir. Two stations are in Noida - Botanical Garden Metro station and Okhla Birds Sanctuary. The ride from the Botanical Garden station to the Okhla Birds Sanctuary station offers breathtaking view of the sanctuary. Also, metro's third bridge over the Yamuna has come up at the Kalindi Kunj on this section. It runs parallel to the the Okhla Barrage.

Magenta line: PSDs, hi-tech signalling among firsts for DMRC

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