Metro rail services throughout India except Maharashtra will resume in phases from Monday (September 7) and will be fully operational on September 12 amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
The government warned against taking strict measures against those who violate social distancing rules, including “naming and shaming” passengers on the Metro train.
The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Puri, had said on Wednesday that instructions had been given not to stop trains at those stations, where Metro train passengers are seen violating social distancing rules. He said the government could be forced to review the decision to operate Metro’s rail services if it finds overcrowding at the stations.
“We will name and shame those who violate social distancing norms and those who do not wear masks in Metro train stations … If there is deliberate indifference, you have CCTV (closed circuit televisions), there will be no hesitation (to act against these offenders). When a person misbehaves on an airplane, we put them on a banned list … I think there is also an element of naming and shaming. If the misconduct of an individual endangers a public utility that is vital in the life of a city or a country, obviously there is little tolerance for such behavior, “Puri said Wednesday.
On Wednesday, the Center had issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the resumption of Metro services under the 4.0 unlock guidelines in a bid to revive the economy that has been hit by the viral outbreak since late March.
The resumption of Metro rail services will significantly increase public transport capacity in India, and especially in Delhi, despite an increase in Covid-19 cases in recent days.
“There will be signage in Metro stations to maintain social distance and also on the seats of the trains. Passengers must ensure that they comply with the rules. We will monitor each and every location through video cameras from our control rooms. If these rules are violated or there are crowds, trains will not stop at those stations. This is part of the SOPs, ”said Durga Shanker Mishra, secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
Puri said the entry points at the stations would be monitored by Metro’s rail authorities to control the number of passengers.
“If the number of passengers entering the stations is greater than we can handle, we will certainly restrict their entry,” said Mangu Singh, head of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).
Puri said the government has made the decision to resume Metro’s rail services in a concerted attempt to revive economic activity.
“I appeal through the media to all consumers that, while we welcome the resumption of Metro’s rail services, a decision that was made after very careful and in-depth consideration, the word of fashion is ‘precaution’ and ‘care’ … resumption of the economy Activity is imperative, but it must be done in a careful and calibrated way, “said the minister.
“We need the cooperation of travelers to ensure that all regulations are followed. We are moving forward with our eyes and ears open and will be monitoring it carefully. I hope we don’t have to review our decision. The emphasis should be on review and caution. We are clear that this opening in a graduated and calibrated way must be reviewed. If we find that the resumption of operations is not generating norms of social distancing in Metro stations or if there are crowds or trains are getting congested… we may have no other option but to review all these arrangements, ”he added.
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