Getting Around in New Delhi (Locally) (Revised Jan 2015)

 The Colors of New Delhi 

(Clockwise from Above - Qutb Minar, Laxmi Narayan Temple, Inside view of an Auto Rickshaw, Old Fort, Lotus Temple, Delhi Metro, India Gate, Delhi HOHO Bus, Ice Candy Stall)

(Delhi Metro Pic Author free spirit 1)

New Delhi is a pretty large metropolitan city. Spread over an area of 1484 square kilometers (573 square miles) this city has been inhabited since 2nd century B.C. It has seen the rise and fall of many empires, dynasties, emperors and so on. It has seen many events which are remembered fondly by people even now and many events which still manage to horrify the people. It has been witness to glorification, damnation, massacres, historical proclamations and many other things. All these events, which are a part of history now, have left their deep imprint on the landscape of Delhi which exist in the form of various landmarks spread across the city.

Map of Delhi

(Author - Sarai & Viyyer Source - Wikipedia)

New Delhi has numerous places of significant interest and it takes an average traveler or a tourist atleast 3 days to tour the entire city 'properly'. These travel tips are here to help you (the budget traveler / someone who wishes to see the city at his/her own pace) out with the information to get around this large metropolitan city in an efficient and hassle free manner.

Now, there are various ways to get around this city. First of all there are the mass transport networks like the Delhi Metro Rail or City Buses and then there are the cabs, auto rickshaws (three wheeler scooter) e.t.c. Find out which mode of transport would suit you best in Delhi and learn more about it-

Modes of Travel in New Delhi -


Delhi Metro Rail Network 

A train on the Delhi Metro Rail Network

The best mode of traveling in the most economical yet efficient manner is through the Delhi Metro Rail Service. Their facilities are modern, they have a station close to most of the destinations (although some landmarks like Qutb Minar, Red Fort, Humayuns Tomb are at a fair distance from the Metro stations). But that said, traveling in Delhi Metro is safe, quick, convenient (as it takes you fairly close to your destinations) air conditioned and very importantly the staff is educated. You have an option of buying the '1 Day or the 3 Day Tourist Smart Card' costing Rs 100 and Rs 250 respectively (from the Customer Care Counter) as you can avail of discounted ticket prices in this ticket combo. Click on the link to checkout the routes and stations - Delhi Metro Rail Corporation

HOHO (Hop On Hop Off) Bus Service

A Hop On Hop Off Tourist Bus

Sightseeing tours are popular in cities all over the world. Organized tours are expensive, rigid and need definite planning in advance. The Hop-On/Hop-Off Bus service provides sightseeing options to tourists who are willing to explore Delhi with a more flexible schedule. These tours are conducted in specially designed buses which move continuously along a route, allowing tourists to board or alight at any of the pick up/drop off points. The route of these buses covers monuments, museums, galleries, gardens, shopping malls, hotels and bazaars. All in all, the service is designed to provide a complete experience of the city to a tourist. The following are the salient features of the Hop On/Hop Off bus service-

.Air-conditioned environment friendly luxury buses

.Frequency- every 30 minutes

.Flexibility - tourists can hop on and hop off at any pick up/drop off point

.Entertaining and knowledgeable tour guides

.Route covers all major tourist destinations in Delhi

.Audio guides

.Online booking Facility

.Onboard ticketing facility

.Covers more than 18 tourist locations

.Monument entry tickets are available to save time

Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) City Bus

An Air Conditioned City Bus

 

One of the cheapest modes of transport in Delhi consists of the environment friendly CNG buses. The ticket prices vary from Rs 10, 15, 20, 25. You can get a daily bus pass (Rs 50/-) made and travel as per your convenience in all the AC (Maroon) and Non-AC (Green) buses (but not the Orange coloured buses).

Auto Rickshaws

Autos are a great way of seeing this city. They are less expensive than taxis and unlike buses and the Metro, they take you to the doorstep of your destination. But, despite being more economical than taxis.. Auto Rickshaws have got their own set of problems. There is always a good chance of auto drivers fleecing you. They fleece everyone so it is nothing new. Here is how Delhi-ites tackle them -

My travel tip to the tourist is this.. Always insist to be charged by the meter before sitting in the auto. If the auto driver says the meter is not working or something else.. Move On.. You can get another auto easily..

The other option you have is to bargain with him (if he refuses to go by the meter or quotes a price). For your benefit I have depicted the latest auto fare chart below which can give you a fair idea of what the price would be per distance for your trip. You can bargain accordingly then. I dare say it is the second option which you will be exercising the most during your stay in Delhi.

You can take a printout and keep it with yourself while traveling, refer to a map to know the distance and find fare on the chart.

Auto rides are enjoyable and I have come across many auto drivers who are ready for chit chat so enjoy your ride.

New Delhi Auto Fare Chart (Km - Rs)
2.0 - 25.0	3.8 - 39.4	5.6 - 53.8	7.4 - 68.2	9.2 - 82.6	11.0 - 97.0	12.8 – 111.4
2.1 - 25.8	3.9 - 40.2	5.7 - 54.6	7.5 - 69.0	9.3 - 83.4	11.1 - 97.8	12.9 – 112.2
2.2 - 26.6	4.0 - 41.0	5.8 - 55.4	7.6 - 69.8	9.4 - 84.2	11.2 - 98.6	13.0 – 113.0
2.3 - 27.4	4.1 - 41.8	5.9 - 56.2	7.7 - 70.6	9.5 - 85.0	11.3 - 99.4	13.1 – 113.8
2.4 - 28.2	4.2 - 42.6	6.0 - 57.0	7.8 - 71.4	9.6 - 85.8	11.4 - 100.2	13.2 – 114.6
2.5 - 29.0	4.3 - 43.4	6.1 - 57.8	7.9 - 72.2	9.7 - 86.6	11.5 - 101.0	13.3 – 115.4
2.6 - 29.8	4.4 - 44.2	6.2 - 58.6	8.0 - 73.0	9.8 - 87.4	11.6 - 101.8	13.4 – 116.2
2.7 - 30.6	4.5 - 45.0	6.3 - 59.4	8.1 - 73.8	9.9 - 88.2	11.7 - 102.6	13.5 – 117.0
2.8 - 31.4	4.6 - 45.8	6.4 - 60.2	8.2 - 74.6	10.0 - 89.0	11.8 - 103.4	13.6 – 117.8
2.9 - 32.2	4.7 - 46.6	6.5 - 61.0	8.3 - 75.4	10.1 - 89.8	11.9 - 104.2	13.7 – 118.6
3.0 - 33.0	4.8 - 47.4	6.6 - 61.8	8.4 - 76.2	10.2 - 90.6	12.0 - 105.0	13.8 – 119.4
3.1 - 33.8	4.9 - 48.2	6.7 - 62.6	8.5 - 77.0	10.3 - 91.4	12.1 - 105.8	14.0 – 121.0
3.2 - 34.6	5.0 - 49.0	6.8 - 63.4	8.6 - 77.8	10.4 - 92.2	12.2 - 106.6	15.0 – 129.0
3.3 - 35.4	5.1 - 49.8	6.9 - 64.2	8.7 - 78.6	10.5 - 93.0	12.3 - 107.4	16.0 – 137.0
3.4 - 36.2	5.2 - 50.6	7.0 - 65.0	8.8 - 79.4	10.6 - 93.8	12.4 - 108.2	17.0 – 145.0
3.5 - 37.0	5.3 - 51.4	7.1 - 65.8	8.9 - 80.2	10.7 - 94.6	12.5 - 109.0	18.0 – 153.0
3.6 - 37.8	5.4 - 52.2	7.2 - 66.6	9.0 - 81.0	10.8 - 95.4	12.6 - 109.8	19.0 – 161.0
3.7 – 38.6	5.5 – 53.0	7.3 – 67.4	9.1 – 81.8	10.9 – 96.2	12.7 – 110.6	20.0 – 169.0

Latest fares issued on May 8th 2013  

© travelerrohan.blogspot.in

Night Charges - 25% of the fare (11:00 PM to 5:00 AM)

Waiting Charges - Rs 30/- per hour or part thereof (Subject to a minimum of 15 minutes stay)

Luggage - Rs. 7.50/- shall be charged as extra luggage charges whereas the driver/ operator shall not charge and money for a shopping bag or a small suitcase

Traffic Helpline Number - 42400400 (Call, if you need help or if you are being overcharged)

Taxis (Black and Yellow Roofed)

To hail a taxicab, you normally just wait on the street or go to locations called taxi stands. Taxicabs are referred to as taxis in Delhi and the word cab is rarely used. As per my experiences taxi drivers rarely go by the meter. They can charge you up to Ten Times the amount which is charged by the meter.  Traffic Helpline Number for Taxi's is 42400400 (Call, if you need help or if you are being overcharged).

Delhi (Black and Yellow) Taxi Fare Chart (Km - Rs)
Non Air Conditioned				Air Conditioned
1.0 - 25.0	Night Charges - 25% of the fare (11:00 PM to 5:00 AM) Waiting Charges - Rs 30/- per hour or part thereof (Subject to a minimum of 15 minutes stay) Luggage - Rs. 10/- shall be charged as extra luggage charges whereas the driver/ operator shall not charge and money for a shopping bag or a small suitcase			1.0 - 25.0	Night Charges - 25% of the fare (11:00 PM to 5:00 AM) Waiting Charges - Rs 30/- per hour or part thereof (Subject to a minimum of 15 minutes stay) Luggage - Rs. 10/- shall be charged as extra luggage charges whereas the driver/ operator shall not charge and money for a shopping bag or a small suitcase
2.0 -  39.0				2.0 -  41.0
3.0 – 53.0				3.0 – 57.0
4.0 – 67.0				4.0 – 73.0
5.0 -  81.0				5.0 -  89.0
6.0 -  95.0				6.0 -  105.0
7.0 – 109.0				7.0 – 121.0
8.0 – 123.0				8.0 – 137.0
9.0 – 137.0				9.0 – 153.0
10.0 – 151.0				10.0 – 169.0
11.0 – 165.0				11.0 – 185.0
12.0 – 179.0				12.0 – 201.0
13.0 – 193.0				13.0 – 217.0
14.0 - 207.0	16.0 – 235.0	17.0 – 249.0		14.0 - 233.0	16.0 – 265.0	17.0 – 281.0
15.0 – 221.0	18.0 – 263.0	19.0 – 277.0		15.0 – 249.0	18.0 – 297.0	19.0 – 313.0

Latest fares issued on May 8th 2013

© travelerrohan.blogspot.in

Radio Taxis

For a budget traveler/tourist radio taxis can be a pricey but safe option. It becomes a must use post 9 pm or while coming out of airport (especially if you are jet lagged) (Beware of Touts outside the Delhi Airport as they charge exorbitant amounts of money for a taxi trip to the city from the unsuspecting traveler). Radio Taxis are the safest and relatively economical options if you are new to the city.

Radio Taxis are available for local commuting as well as long distance purposes. Hiring a cab in Delhi allow you to get the cab number and driver's mobile number as well.

The radio taxis are fitted with GPRS technology, digital fare meters and thermal printers for issuing bill/receipt etc. The billing is done on a per kilometer basis from point to point. Radio cabs are available 24x7 in Delhi, So there are no problems of timing and safety.

A few leading radio taxi operators' numbers:

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

Car Rentals

DTTDC has a full fledged Transport Department with Travel Transport Counters and Tourists information offices at various disembarkation points in Delhi (viz Airport, Railway Stations, City Centre Connaught Place) with a variety of tourists vehicles and coaches.

The Transport Division also handles transport and travel related services for national and international events. The Transport Division has significant experience in making excellent transport arrangements for various national and international events.

Transport Division

INA, Near Dilli Haat

Aurobindo Marg,

New Delhi

Tel : 91-11-24674153, 26884312

Apart from DTTDC car rental companies like Avis, Hertz and Thrifty are present in New Delhi, at the airport and elsewhere.

-x-x-x-

Some Important Helplines for a tourist while in New Delhi are listed below - 

Tourist City Information Service - 1280

ITDC - 91-11-23719039

Police - 100 / 1090

Fire - 101

Ambulance - 102  

Accident & Trauma Service - 1099

Child Helpline - 1098  

Women's Helpline - 1091 

Delhi Metro Helpline - 011 -128128 (for mobiles)

 The Delhi Police has issued some guidelines for tourists visiting. They basically mean 'use common sense all the time' but if you have some time you could go through it once. Click Here.

* If you require any further information about traveling to New Delhi, do Tweet me.. contact me on our FB page or mail me. I'll be glad to answer your queries !

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Author's Note - Please remember that this article is a list of Do's and Dont's. New Delhi is overall a safe place. So enjoy the city and its numerous treasures in a delightful, safe and smooth atmosphere and take back home some unforgettable memories.

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Qutb Group of Monuments Part Two

(Continued from Qutb Group of Monuments Part One.......)

Period of Khalji Sultan Ala ud din
         
The Khalji dynasty succeeded the Mamluk dynasty in 1290 A.D. Sultan Ala ud din Khalji (1296 - 1316), during his reign, tripled the size of the Quwwat ul Islam Mosque to accommodate the city's growing Muslim population. Ala ud din Khalji also decided to build another minaret, the Alai Minar, meant to be taller and larger than the existing Qutb Minar. Ala ud din Khalji also added a madarsa to the southwestern end of the complex and the historically significant Alai Darwaza (1311 A.D.) on its southern end.

 Alai Darwaza, with the tomb of Imam Zamin to the right. Alai Darwaza was the first building in India to employ Islamic architectural principles in its construction and ornamentation.

The Alai Darwaza is a richly decorated gateway, renowned for its use of a bold polychromatic scheme. Three other gates were also added to this mosque extension, two at the eastern wall and one at the northern wall.

It is the main gateway from southern side of the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque. Second Khalji Sultan of Delhi, Ala ud din Khalji in 1311 AD, also added a court to the pillared to the eastern side. The domed gateway is decorated with red sandstone and inlaid white marble decorations, inscriptions in Naskh script, latticed stone screens and showcases the remarkable craftsmanship of the Turkic artisans who worked on it.

 

                         Sandstone carvings at the base of the Alai Darwaza

                                                                                                                           

    A photo of the entrance to the Alai Darwaza. Observe the pointy arch.

Observe the minarets carved of red sandstone and marble and their flowery base. Also observe the intricate carving on red sandstone which reach till the ceiling.

This is the first building in India to employ Islamic architecture principles in its construction and ornamentation. The Mamluk (Slave) dynasty did not employ true Islamic architecture styles and used false domes and false arches, this makes the Alai Darwaza, the earliest example of first true arches and true domes in India.

Another door of Alai Darwaza facing the Qutb Minar. Observe the unique red sandstone carvings all around the door frame.

It is considered to be one of the most important buildings built in the Delhi sultanate period. With its pointed arches and spearhead of fringes, identified as lotus buds, it adds grace to the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque to which it served as an entrance.

The tomb of Ala ud din Khalji. The grave and the ceiling of the mausoleum is gone.

The madarsa next to the tomb of Ala ud din Khalji. This was the first example in India of a tomb standing alongside a madarsa.

At the back of the complex, southwest of the mosque, stands an L-shaped construction, consisting of Ala ud din Khalji's Tomb dating 1316 AD, and a madarsa, an Islamic seminary built by him. The central room of the building, which has his tomb, has now lost its dome, though many rooms of the seminary or college are intact, and since been restored.

This is the unfinished base of the mammoth tower Alai Minar, begun by Ala ud din Khalji intended to give competition to Qutb Minar.

Nearby stands the Alai Minar, an ambitious tower of victory. Ala ud din Khalji started constructing this minaret to rival the Qutb Minar, after his armies (led by Malik Kafur) triumphed in the landmark Deccan (Central and South India) campaign (through which he got possession of the world famous Kohinoor Diamond). He died when only its first storey was built and its construction was abandoned thereafter.

Period of Tughluq Sultan Feroze Shah

The minar was first struck by lightning in 1368 AD, which knocked off its top storey. The necessary repairs were done by Sultan Feroze Shah Tughluq (1351-1388). Sultan Feroze Shah Tughluq added the top two floors which were faced with white marble and sandstone enhancing the distinctive variegated look of the minar, as seen in lower three storeys.

The top two floors looks distinctly different in design than the lower floors. The top two floors were built in Tughluq style by the Emperor Feroze Shah Tughluq who also conducted repairs over the monument.

Sultan Feroze Shah also added a cupola (chhatri) at the top of the minar. This cupola (chhatri) fell down in an earthquake in 1802 and was damaged. These architectural additions were done by Sultan Tughluq in his own style which is why the structure displays a marked variation in architectural styles from the Mamluk dynasty to that of the Tughluq dynasty.

Period of Lodi Sultan Sikandar

Inscriptions at the Qutb Minar indicate further repairs by Sultan Sikandar Lodi (of the Lodi Dynasty) in 1503, when it was struck by lightning once again.

Tomb of Imam Zamin

Another monument hailing to the Lodi dynasty's period was the Tomb of Imam Muhammad Ali, or Imam Zamin. It stands on a raised courtyard, next to the Alai Darwaza. As per an inscription of the eastern entrance to the tomb, Imam Zamin was a saint from Central Asia (Turkestan), who settled in India around 1500 A.D. , during the reign of Sikandar Lodi. He built his tomb during his lifetime, and was buried here after his death in 1539 AD. The sandstone structure has a dome on an octagonal base, while its interior is finished in polished white plaster, and contains fine, perforated jaalis, or screens common in Lodi period architecture.

Period of British Colonial Rule

Sanderson's Sundial

Major Smith's Cupola (Smith's Folly)

In the year 1802 the Qutb Minar was damaged by an earthquake and the cupola (chhatri) on the top (erected by Sultan Feroze Shah Tughlaq) was thrown down. It was repaired by Major R. Smith of the Royal Engineers in 1223 and replaced the previous cupola (chhatri) with a Bengali-style chhatri. It was removed by Governor General, Lord Hardinge in 1848, as it looked out of place, and now stands in the outer lawns of the complex, popularly known as Smith's Folly.

The No-Nonsense Travel Advice
Name of the Monument	Qutb Complex
Constructed By	Emperors Qutb ud din Aibak, Iltutmish and Others
Period of Construction	12th, 13th and 16th centuries. Repair work carried out during 14th, 16th and 19th centuries.
Location	Mehrauli, New Delhi
How to Reach	(By Metro) Get down at Qutub Minar Metro Station (on the Yellow Line) and walk the short distance OR take an Auto Rickshaw from your Starting Point OR take a Hop-On-Hop-Off sightseeing bus which is run by Delhi Tourism. Fare is Rs 300 for Adults and Rs 150 for children. Checkout Delhi Tourism website for details.
Entrance Fee	. Citizens of India and visitors from Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives, Afghanistan, Thailand and Myanmar - Rs. 10 per head . Visitors from other countries - Indian Rs. 250/- per head . (Free entry to children up to 15 years)
Suggested Reading	Know more about how to travel locally in New Delhi

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