Getting to IIT Delhi

Stuck in a traffic jam at C.P. and don’t know what to do? Feeling colour blind when it comes to differentiating Metro lines? Booked your tickets but clueless about public transportation? Our Mentorship Team suggests how.

Living in the capital does have its perks, and one of them is easy access to public transport. What, with the Metro extending its foliage to cover almost every nook and cranny of the city and the auto-rickshaw epidemic swarming both the Puraani and Nayi Dilli, there are a number of modes and methods you can choose to reach IIT Delhi.*

DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this section is subject to change over time since the day of its being written on July 4, 2012. Though care has been taken to review the content and update it in July 2013 and July 2014, neither the authors nor the editor claim that this information is complete, or was at the time of writing.

Via Auto-Rickshaw

The most iconic symbol of public transport in India, if there was one, would surely be the three-wheeled yellowish-green Auto-rickshaw. These colourful beasts command a gargantuan proportion of the otherwise black-and-white Delhi roads, cutting by, swishing and zigzagging past many-an-irritated drivers. But beware – auto rickshaw drivers have a reputation of overcharging their passengers and not running by meters. Excuses like “meter not working” or “Savaari nahi milegi” are commonplace, so do not fall for them – always insist on travelling by meter. If the driver refuses, walk away (slowly, and wait for him to call you back). That said, here is what you need to know.

When coming from the New Delhi/Nizamuddin Railway Stations, you will find a Pre-Paid Auto-rickshaw booth just outside the station. There will usually be a huge crowd around this booth, but if you cannot find it, ask a traffic policemen (they are responsible for regulating the pre-paid booths). Once you declare your destination and pay the respective amount, the official at the booth will give you a receipt. Keep it SAFE, for it has to be returned to the auto-rickshaw driver at the end of the journey, for him to earn his bread & butter.

The rates for Auto-rickshaws in Delhi are:

• For first 2 kilometres – ₹ 25
• For every consequent kilometre – ₹ 8/km

For example, the distance from NDLS to IIT is approximately 13.6 km., so the appropriate charge for an Auto would be ₹ 120. You may round it off to the nearest greatest integer. Consider it a tip of sorts.

Our suggestion: After the Metro, this is your second-best option. If this is your first visit to Delhi and you wish to experience the city in all its glory, then for the now-buried JEE’s sake, take an Auto!

Via Bus

The most obvious mode of transportation that most Delhiites are familiar with are DTC Buses. With a fleet of over 3000 buses traversing more than 700 different routes, the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) holds one of the largest CNG-powered bus fleets in the world. Bus routes connect between almost every corner of the city at frequent time intervals. There are kinds of buses available.

1. DTC TATA Non-AC buses
2. DTC TATA AC buses
3. DTC Traditional buses

The most important routes that you shall require are provided in the following section

Bus routes

Although we have tried our best to form an exhaustive list of bus-routes, the best thing to do when planning to travel by bus is to ask away! Ask any person nearby who you think might know the answer – Paan walas, Chaat walas, office-goers and students are especially well-versed with bus-routes (not kidding!). At the end of the day, however, travelling by bus is not the most comfortable journey you can make – most buses are extremely crowded during peak hours, and it is difficult to stand, let alone carry luggage, in such a situation.

You must note that a particular numbered bus would travel the same route in different directions. For example, bus number 764 goes from Nehru Place to Najafgarh, and also from Najafgarh to Nehru Place. You must board the bus going in the right direction. Just like in the Metro, there are seats reserved for senior citizens, the physically challenged and ladies.

Our suggestion: Although very cheap, most buses are still too crowded. AVOID at all costs, on your first trip to Delhi!

Via Metro

Ever since the introduction of the Metro Rail by DMRC, life has become so much simpler. With a direct line from the Railway Station/Airport to the Hauz Khas Station, this will be the beginning of many long metro journeys for you over the next four-five years. Cheap, fast, clean and convenient – the Metro offers everything a commuter can dream of. For those unfamiliar with this form of transport, the Metro Rail, simply referred to as the “Metro”, consists of a series of electrically-run super-fast trains, much like the Underground in London or U-Bahn/S-Bahn in Germany.

These trains operate on a number of different lines, usually denoted by different colours – Yellow, Purple, Blue, Orange etc. Each line consists of a number of different stations and do not run parallel to the roads above ground. Lines usually intersect at major intersections or localities such as NDLS or Connaught Place. If you’ve never travelled on a Metro before, carpe diem! Riding in these trains is a pleasure, with automatic-doors and fully air-conditioned coaches they are magnificent. The cost of travel usually starts at about ₹ 8, though the Metro smart card can give you a 10% discount. They require a first time payment of ₹ 150 plus subsequent recharges of the card all of which have to be of minimum ₹ 200.
Taking large bags with you should not be a problem. The first coach of every train is reserved for ladies. Even in other coaches, there are seats reserved for senior citizens, the physically challenged and ladies.

A few tips regarding directions now –

The Metro station nearest to IIT Delhi is Hauz Khas on the Yellow Line. It is about a kilometer from IIT Main/Hostel Gate.

To reach IIT Main/Hostel gate from Hauz Khas Metro, you can take

• Auto-rickshaw (price: ₹ 20-30)
• Bus number 764/764A/765/511/620 (price: ₹ 5-10/head)
• Share autos (Price ₹ 10/head) If you have any luggage, avoid these. They are crammed.
• If coming from NDLS, take the Yellow Line from the underground New Delhi metro station, directed towards Qutab Minar or HUDA City Center. Get off nine stations later at Hauz Khas Metro Station.
• If coming from the Airport, you may take the Metro directly from the underground station IGI Airport. This station is on the Orange Line. The Metro from IGIA is a super-fast train called the Delhi Airport Metro Express (DAME). It includes spaces for keeping luggage and will get you to New Delhi metro station. DAME runs at an avergae speed of 135 km/h opposed to an average of 80 km/h for most metros. The cost of the ride is Rs 80, cheaper than most alternative ways to reach from the airport. Get off at New Delhi, and take the Yellow Line till Hauz Khas.

Our suggestion: If reaching Delhi during a peak hour, such as morning (8-10 A.M.) or evening (5-7 P.M.), you should avoid traveling by Metro when carrying heavy luggage. While your large bags may clear Security, it can be difficult navigating them through a sea of wandering humans. Use may an Auto/Taxi during these hours. At all other times, the Metro is your best bet. The Metro does not run from 11 PM to 6 AM, so avoid reaching Delhi during this time frame.

Important Note: Exit from Hauz Khas Metro gate 2. Autos will be readily available, but to catch a bus, you will have to walk a few steps in the direction you exited, and cross the road via subway to reach the bus stop.

Delhi Metro fares: http://www.delhimetrorail.com/metro-fares.aspx

Delhi Metro map: http://www.delhimetrorail.com/zoom-route-map.aspx

Via Taxi

A very convenient, though not-so pocket-friendly way of commuting is to take a taxi, although they can be a bit harder to find than, say, a Metro station or a Bus stand. However, if coming from any of the Railway Stations/Airports, there are plenty of taxis available for hire. You would mostly find a pre-paid Taxi counter at the station/airport(s) exit. You may also hire Radio Taxi readily available – a simple call away. Google “Radio taxis in Delhi” for more info. A few leading radio taxi operators’ numbers:

Meru Cabs: +91-11-44224422
Delhi Cab: +91-11-44333222
Easy Cab: +91-11-43434343
Quick Cabs: +91-11-45333333
Mega cab: +91-11-41414141

Our suggestion: Unless you have a LOT of luggage (including parents’ luggage), prefer the Metro/Auto over this. If the high price is not a factor, then this can be your most comfortable option. The charges for the taxis usually are - ₹ 25 for the first Km and ₹ 14(Non AC) / ₹ 16 (AC) for next every Km. These are general prices and may vary from one Taxi Provider to another.