Marking 23 years since its first journey transformed the capital's commute, the Delhi Metro is now offering the public a unique glimpse into its world from the driver's seat. A brand-new, state-of-the-art museum inaugurated at the Supreme Court metro station on the Blue Line promises an immersive dive into the construction, control, and daily operation of this massive network.
Step Into the Driver's Cabin: An Immersive Experience
The showpiece of the 12,000 square feet facility is a real-life simulator that replicates the loco pilot's workspace, allowing visitors to feel the thrill of driving a metro train. But the experience goes far beyond the cabin. The museum, designed to rival the finest metro museums globally, features detailed working models of a tunnel-boring machine and a launching girder, illustrating the engineering marvels that built the tunnels beneath the city.
During the inauguration on Wednesday, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, alongside Transport Minister Pankaj Singh and DMRC Managing Director Vikas Kumar, highlighted the metro's pivotal role. She emphasized its contribution to reducing private vehicles on roads and strengthening the fight against pollution in the national capital.
Interactive Displays and a Walk Through History
Visitors can engage with interactive digital displays that gamify the learning process, explaining complex construction techniques. The museum also houses:
- Quiz screens and selfie points to enhance participation.
- A dedicated panel honouring 'Metro Man' E. Sreedharan.
- A mock tunnel and a model of the Operations Control Centre that meticulously monitors the 350-km network.
- Dioramas of Delhi's landmarks and a photo gallery of dignitary visits.
Static models and exhibits detail the functioning of a system that handles an average of 7 million passenger journeys daily. Anuj Dayal, Principal Executive Director of Corporate Communications for DMRC, stated that more than 50 panels, exhibits, kiosks, and models are currently installed, with plans for further expansions soon.
From Patel Chowk to Supreme Court: Evolving the Legacy
The museum's story began in 2008 when DMRC first conceived the idea of chronicling the journey of India's most advanced urban transit system. On December 31, 2008, the country's first metro rail museum was inaugurated at Patel Chowk station, a historic milestone as the only such facility in South Asia at the time.
"Presented as a New Year's gift to the people of the capital, it quickly became popular, attracting about 5,000 students annually from across the world," Dayal explained. With the opening of this new, larger museum at the Supreme Court station, the original facility at Patel Chowk has now been closed.
The new Delhi Metro Museum is open to the public from 10 am to 4 pm, starting immediately. It will remain closed every Monday and on public holidays. The entry fee has been kept highly accessible at just Rs. 10 per person, inviting all of Delhi to explore the moving force behind their city.
