Use choppers for VIPs, repair of Airport Metro line can’t wait: Ministry

Traffic police object to closure of Dhaula Kuan stretch as it will hit VIP movement to airport.

The Union Urban Development Ministry has asked traffic police to fly VIPs on helicopters if blocking a portion of National Highway 8 in Dhaula Kuan for repairs on the Airport Metro line will restrict their movement.

The ministry made the suggestion after traffic police objected to closing a lane on NH-8, saying it would restrict VIP movement on the road. VIPs normally take this route from the airport.

"The lane on the highway cannot be closed when a VIP is taking that route. Even if one of the lanes is closed, repair work will have to be suspended on the highway for some time to let the VIP pass," a traffic officer said.

The high-speed Airport Metro service was suspended on July 8 after construction defects were detected on several portions along the line.

As VIP movement along the route has become a major hurdle for starting work on the damaged sections of the Airport Metro, the ministry directed traffic police to avail of helicopter service for VIPs.

"The VIP route has to be changed or provisions to charter choppers to ferry VIPs should be made. The repairs cannot be disrupted to felicitate unhindered movement of VIPs. There is lot of pressure to resume the Airport Metro service. Work cannot stop even for an hour. It will send work schedules haywire," an official said.

The request for route diversion was made to carry out repairs on the elevated portion of Dhaula Kuan Metro station.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said blocking one lane of the highway would be enough to carry out the repairs. "One lane until the central road divider has to be closed as the Dhaula Kuan station has some piers on NH-8," an official said.

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