Three months after it was due to open for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the new Airport Express Metro Line linking Indira Ghandhi International Airport with downtown New Delhi is now expected to open within a week after approval was given by safety regulators.

Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety R K Kardam gave the green light for the start of operations on condition the top speed trains could reach be reduced from 120kmph to 105kmph and the decision to use private secruity teams on the line is reviewed.

The 22.70 kilometre line will allow passengers from the airport to reach downtown Delhi in 20 minutes and is equipped with six stations to connect the region between Delhi and Dwarka with the airport.

Due to open in October for the start of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the express line was expected to have process 25,000 passengers per day during the event, but concerns over safety and missed construction targets led to a string of delays ahead of its opening.