Metro station near Akshardham to match temple's look

The Akshardham Station on the Delhi Metro's much-awaited Noida corridor will sport an aesthetic look with the DMRC designing in such a way that it matches with the Akshardham temple nearby.

The station, located just yards away from the sprawling Akshardham temple, will also be the tallest Metro station built so far, having six levels and standing 16.5 metres above the ground and 21 metres from the basement.

Earlier, the Kashmere Gate Metro station which stands 15 metres above the ground was the tallest station.

The Metro also used Dholpur stone, which was also seen on the temple, on the exterior of the station structure to make sure that the station blends well with the locale.

"Provision has also been made at the upper ground and concourse levels of the station for commuters to enjoy the magnificent view of the temple," DMRC spokesman Anuj Dayal said.

The Yamuna Bank-Noida section, which will take the Metro beyond Delhi's borders for the first time, is 13.10 km long and has 10 stations.

This line is expected to be thrown open for public by the middle of November to enable passengers to reach Pragati Maidan for the India International Trade Fair which begins on November 14.

"The Akshardham Metro station will be one of the most important stations of the corridor because of its proximity to the Akshardham Temple and the Games Village which will house sportspersons during the Commonwealth Games next year," Dayal said.

The daily traffic for the station has been estimated to be 78,613 by 2011. DMRC is also constructing a foot over bridge connecting the station to residential areas in Pandav Nagar.

The total area of the station is 28, 000 sq m and it has six levels – basement, lower ground, ground, upper ground, concourse and platform.

The station has two entry points, one from the Akshardham Temple side and the other from the UP Link Road. The six levels will be connected by seven escalators and four lifts.

The station has a parking facility of 4000 sq m on the side facing the Akshardham Temple which can accommodate more than 500 cars.

The Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) gates, ticketing counters, Station Control Room as well as the Customer Care Centre are situated at the concourse level.

The station will be connected to the Games Village by a road being constructed by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) from the front entrance. DDA is also constructing a bus shelter near the front entrance for the convenience of commuters using public transport.