Date:31/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/31/stories/2008123153820500.htm

New Delhi

Now a museum showcases Delhi Metro

Staff Reporter

Photo: V.V. Krishnan

On display: A view of the Metro Museum at Patel Chowk railway station.

NEW DELHI: It’s another first for the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation -- a museum dedicated to the metro railway detailing its fascinating journey to this day from the time it was first envisaged way back in 1969.

The Metro Museum at Patel Chowk railway station, to be opened to the public from New Year’s Day, showcases the genesis, history and progress of the mass transit system that has changed the way Delhi travels.

Inspired by the Transport Museum in London, the Metro Museum has on display a collection of panels, historic photographs and assorted exhibits. “It traces the genesis of the Delhi Metro which took 32 years to reach the operational stage from the drawing boards, major milestones, issues regarding selection of technology such as rolling stock (trains) and rail gauge,” explains DMRC spokesperson Anuj Dayal. The museum provides an insight into the unique management style and work culture of DMRC that has helped it complete projects before time all along.

“The museum also includes details on the problems encountered during the construction process, including the story behind the construction of technological marvels such as the Chawri Bazaar station, which is the second deepest metro station in the world,” says Mr. Dayal.

A model of the Tunnel Boring Machine, soil samples collected from around the city and helmets of different colours used at construction sites and the prototype of the metro train also find a place in the museum.

“The museum has two touch screen computers that play the DMRC corporate movie and animations describing the way tunnel boring machines and launching girders used in elevated construction work,” said Mr. Dayal.

Visitors wishing to take back a slice of the metro can do so by purchasing memorabilia, a coffee table book, some pens with the metro inscription that have been put up for sale at the museum.

Curator services at the museum can be availed of from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors who are not travelling by the metro will have to buy entry tickets at the fare counters.