Still facing call drops during your metro journey? Things are set to get better as cellular coverage in the Delhi Metro is going to get an overhaul.

The decision was taken by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) after it received feedback from the public on poor mobile connectivity while on the go. The DMRC has identified the high-speed Airport Express Metro Line (AEML), which will be the first corridor to get improved cellular network.

“While we are aiming for Wi-Fi facility in the metro, we have to ensure that the quality of basic mobile network does not falter. Hence, we are augmenting mobile network in a phased manner in various corridors,” said a DMRC official. Tenders for phase one of the project, wherein network on the AEML would be enhanced, have already been floated.

Explaining the scope of the project, the official said the selected telecom operator(s) will have to install the equipments providing shared mobile coverage of 2G/3G and 4G on at least 100 pillars of the elevated stretch of the airport line. For the underground section, right of way will also be provided to lay optical fibre cables and power cables to connect the equipments. The 22.7-km-long AMEL comprises six stations. The elevated portion is about 7.57 km -- Shivaji Stadium-Dhaula Kuan-Aerocity Section-- consisting of 271 pillars. Trains on this line have a designed speed of 135 kmph and maximum operating speed of 120 kmph.

“The selected bidder will have to provide the services of telecom solution to various telecom operators and other agencies by charging them appropriate licence fee. Also, the bidder, in turn, will have to pay a fixed amount of monthly licence fee and other charges along with applicable taxes, quarterly in advance, to DMRC,” the official added. After this, the DMRC plans to lay cellular network in the underground stretch of the Violet Line extension (Mandi House-Kashmere Gate). “That will be our next priority as the line is almost ready and trial runs are likely to begin next month,” said a metro official.