The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) resumed its services on Monday more than five months after they were suspended as part of measures to ensure social distancing to control the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Services began at 7 a.m. on Monday on the 49 km-long Yellow Line (HUDA City Center and Samaypur Badli), the first corridor to be opened according to the guidelines of the Center to make the measures implemented more flexible. before the pandemic.
There wasn’t much of a rush during the first hour of services resuming, but travelers said they were happy this finally happened. Kumud Priya, a passenger at the Rajiv Chowk subway station, said: “I left early to make sure I didn’t get caught in the queues. At least until the early hours of the morning, there was no rush … people also follow directions responsibly. The openness is a great relief. “
Also read: Covid-19: As Metro services resume, airflow poses the biggest challenge for health
Business activities and offices in the capital were allowed to reopen under the Center’s unblocking guidelines, and travelers faced many problems due to the lack of adequate public transportation. Restrictions on the number of passengers on public transport had added to the problems.
A security person checks a traveler at Rajiv Chowk station. The Delhi Metro resumed its services on Monday. (PTI)
Additional staff have been deployed to stations, especially large ones like Rajiv Chowk, to ensure that travelers follow all the rules for safe travel.
Security personnel were using metal detectors attached to rods to ensure social distancing during the pat-down at the stations after the thermal scan. People were allowed to enter the stations after disinfecting their hands.
A worker sanitizes the entrance doors at the Rajiv Chowk station. (PTI)
The services will be fully operational on September 12, and travelers have been advised to only take essential trips and “talk less” while traveling.
Also Read: Delhi Metro Says Ready For Covid-19 Challenge
In an interview with HT last week, DMRC chief Mangu Singh admitted that overcrowding is a concern and that his efforts are to “break the peak.”
“We want to make sure there are no peaks of overcrowding; that there is a uniform flow. We want people to support us and plan trips accordingly because this is the best way to use the system. And we can also provide the best service. “
Travelers enter the HUDA City Center station. (PTI)
DMRC has issued a detailed advisory for travelers on the dos and don’ts of traveling in this new normal post-coronavirus pandemic. Anuj Dayal, executive director of corporate communication, DMRC, said: “In addition to ‘breaking the peak’, DMRC calls on commuters to speak less during the trip on the subway to avoid the possibility of transmission of short-range aerosols “.
Follow Precautions Against Covid-19: Arvind Kejriwal
Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday expressed his happiness over the resumption of the Metro, adding that there should be no negligence in following the precautions against Covid-19.
“I am happy that Metro is starting today. Metro has made good arrangements. We must also not show negligence in following precautions, ”Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi.
मुझे ख़ुशी है कि आज से मेट्रो शुरू हो रही है। मेट्रो ने अच्छे इंतज़ाम किए हैं। हम सबको भी सावधानी बरतने में कोई लापरवाही नहीं करनी। https://t.co/bFUz9XXk74
– Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) September 7, 2020
The DMRC has implemented several steps, such as strict compliance with the use of masks and disinfectant, social distancing, exclusive use of smart cards and thermal detection to ensure safe transportation amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Interior Ministry had recently issued guidelines that allowed Metro services in the country to resume operations in a staggered manner, after which the DMRC said it would do so in three stages from September 7 to 12.
In stage one, the Yellow Line or Line 2 and Rapid Metro were put into operation with restricted hours of service, a DMRC official said.
The trains will operate in batches of four hours each from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. during the first stage, authorities said.
Metro services in the National Capital Region were stopped on March 22 due to the pandemic. The DMRC has called on people to use transportation only if there is an urgent need.
(with PTI inputs)
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