The Delhi Metro, a lifeline for millions in IndiaтАЩs bustling capital, witnesses a staggering number of commuters each year, more than the entire population of the United States! With Delhi being one of the most densely populated and polluted cities in the world, the Metro plays a crucial role in managing the cityтАЩs ever-increasing urban sprawl. But have you ever wondered where your fare goes or how this massive transport system impacts DelhiтАЩs dynamics? In this blog, weтАЩll explore the most interesting facts about the Delhi Metro, from its cutting-edge technology and sustainability efforts to its effect on pollution, population, and urban growth. While most might think of it as simply a mode of transportation, the Delhi Metro has a much deeper impact on the environment, social welfare, and even popular culture. Let us uncover the fascinating world behind one of the busiest metro systems in the world!┬а(Delhi Metro)
1.A Positive Contributor to the Environment
You might assume that a massive rail network like the Delhi Metro contributes to the cityтАЩs pollution, but it actually does the opposite! The Delhi Metro is certified by the United Nations as the worldтАЩs first rail-based system to receive *carbon credits* for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It helps reduce a whopping 624,000 tonnes of greenhouse emissions annually in the city. This eco-friendly initiative makes the Delhi Metro a critical asset in the fight against air pollution in the capital.
Did you know that your metro fare is indirectly contributing to the welfare of street children? The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has taken a unique initiative by running a childrenтАЩs home for the betterment of underprivileged children. The money collected from fares supports this home, which is equipped with dormitories, classrooms, computer rooms, and many other resources to help educate and nurture these young ones. This initiative is a beautiful blend of transportation and social responsibility.┬а
3.Why Metro Trains Have an Even Number of Coaches
Have you ever wondered why the Delhi Metro always has an even number of coaches? The answer is quite technical but fascinating! Metro trains once operated with four coaches, and now many have six or eight. This is due to the two types of coaches in the metro system: the тАШDтАЩ car, which is the driverтАЩs cabin that pulls electricity from overhead wires, and the тАШMтАЩ car, which is the motor car. The тАШMтАЩ car houses three-phase induction motors responsible for power transmission. Together, the тАШDтАЩ and тАШMтАЩ cars function as one operational unit, and they cannot run independently. Thus, metro trains always operate with an even number of coaches.┬а
┬а4.AsiaтАЩs Largest Escalator at Janakpuri┬а
If youтАЩve traveled through the Janakpuri West metro station, you may have noticed something extraordinary тАУ it houses AsiaтАЩs largest escalator! At a staggering height of around 5 floors, this escalator has become one of the key attractions at the station, adding a new level of grandeur to the cityтАЩs metro infrastructure.
5. A Star of the Silver Screen
The beauty of the Delhi Metro has not gone unnoticed by filmmakers. Many iconic movies have featured scenes shot on the metro, making it a recognizable symbol across India. The first movie to be filmed here was Bewafaa in 2003, followed by many others like Delhi-6, Love Aaj Kal, PK, and Paa. Its sleek design and modern aesthetic have made it a preferred location for shooting, reflecting the cityтАЩs evolving landscape.
The Delhi Metro Is much more than just a way to get from point A to point B. ItтАЩs a sustainable solution for DelhiтАЩs pollution, a supporter of social causes, a host of record-breaking infrastructure, and a favourite among filmmakers. The next time you step into a metro station, take a moment to appreciate the role it plays, both in your life and in the cityтАЩs broader landscape.┬а
Nestled in the heart of New DelhiтАЩs Connaught Place, the iconic Regal Theatre stood as a testament to the cityтАЩs cinematic and cultural evolution for more than eight decades. Opened in 1932, this landmark building not only showcased films but also carried with it the spirit of a generation, melding the cultural and political threads of a newly forming India.(Regal Cinema)
A Grand Beginning
Regal Theatre was the first to open its doors in Connaught Place, designed by Walter Sykes George, an architect also known for other prestigious structures such as St. Stephen’s College and Sujan Singh Park. The theatre’s architectural splendor is a blend of Georgian elegance and Mughal grandeur, encapsulating both colonial sophistication and India’s rich artistic heritage. Its imposing facade and crescent gallery housed a story that spanned generations.
From its inception, the Regal wasnтАЩt just about cinema. It was a venue that embraced the performing arts, hosting ballets, English plays, and performances from renowned Russian theatre groups. Its stage came alive with drama and grandeur, setting a standard for artistic expression in pre-independence India.
Talkies and Hindi Films
When тАЬtalkiesтАЭ arrived in the early 1930s, cinema took a giant leap, and Regal Theatre was at the forefront of this revolution. It became the first theatre in Connaught Place to screen Hindi films, catering to the rising demand for Indian cinema. This marked the start of its long-standing relationship with Bollywood, a bond that would grow stronger as decades passed.
A Hub for Film Premieres
Regal became the destination for some of the most iconic film premieres. It was the hallowed ground where Hollywood classics like Gone with the Wind (1940) made their grand debut in India, alongside Bollywood gems like Bobby (1973). The theatre hosted premieres that drew crowds from across the city, and its red-carpet events often welcomed luminaries like Raj Kapoor and Nargis, whose larger-than-life portraits still adorned its crescent gallery.
The nostalgia of these star-studded evenings added to the magic Regal created for its patrons. The sight of film stars walking into the theatre, the excitement that buzzed through the air, and the awe of audiences , it was all part of RegalтАЩs legendary appeal.
A Stage for History
Regal was more than just a cinema hall,it was a witness to history. Over the years, it hosted political figures who shaped IndiaтАЩs destiny. Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Lord Mountbatten, among others, visited the theatre, elevating its cultural status beyond just a place for entertainment. For many, Regal became a symbol of DelhiтАЩs evolving identity, a place where politics, cinema, and culture converged.
Decline and Farewell
Despite its illustrious history, Regal Theatre could not remain immune to the wave of modern multiplexes that began sweeping through the country in the 1990s. The rise of multiplexes like PVR Anupam marked the beginning of RegalтАЩs decline. By the 2000s, the theatre was screening B-grade Bollywood films, losing its sheen and relevance in a rapidly changing entertainment landscape.
The final curtain fell on March 31, 2017, when Regal screened its last film, Phillauri, starring Anushka Sharma. On that bittersweet day, Regal was decked out in flowers, resembling a marriage venue as patrons, old and new, gathered for a final goodbye. Specially printed pamphlets were handed out as mementos of the theatreтАЩs historic journey, and the grand portraits of Raj Kapoor and Nargis watched over the crowd one last time. It was an emotional end to an era.
Although Regal Theatre no longer stands as the cinematic hub it once was, its legacy endures. The memories of its grandeur, its contributions to the cultural fabric of New Delhi, and the countless magical evenings it provided to its patrons continue to live on. Regal wasnтАЩt just a cinema hall, it was a cornerstone of the cityтАЩs history, a witness to the unfolding stories both on and off the screen.
As time moves on and new theatres rise in its place, the memories of Regal remain, like an old film reel playing in the minds of those who walked through its doors. Regal Theatre is an old, never-ending memory, etched into the heart of Delhi, where nostalgia and history blend like scenes from a timeless movie.
Written by- Khushi Aggarwal/Edited by- Pardeep Kumar