After a hiatus of more than five months, Delhi’s lifeline, metro trains, will resume services from September 7. The Union Ministry of the Interior issued on Saturday the Unblocking 4 guidelines according to which metro trains will be able to resume services from September 7 in a phased manner.
The announcement came on a day when Delhi recorded 1,954 new cases of Covid-19, the city’s highest single-day peak in August to date, bringing the tally to more than 1.71 lakh. This is the highest number of cases in the last almost 50 days.
Minutes after the approval of the Center, the Delhi Metro Railways Corporation (DMRC) issued a statement saying that the protocols to be followed at the station and inside the trains will be published after the Center issues specific guidelines.
“According to the latest guidelines issued by the Home Office under Unlock-4, the Delhi Metro will resume its services to the public from September 7, 2020 in a calibrated manner. More details on the operation of the metro and its use by the public will be shared once the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs issues the detailed SOP on Metros in the coming days, “said Anuj Dayal, executive director (corporate communications) of DMRC.
Previously, DMRC had implemented a series of measures when its services were resumed. Let’s take a look at them:
In the subway station
-Tokens will no longer be issued to passengers.
-Automatic recharge and smart cards will be available for contactless travel.
-The smart cards will be recharged automatically at the automatic rate collection (AFC) gates.
-Red lines have been drawn at regular intervals next to the AFC gates and security check gates, just before travelers enter near the apron areas.
-Provision for hand disinfection.
-All passengers arriving at the metro stations will be thermally examined by CISF personnel.
-Security staff will also check if passengers have the Aaogya Setu app on their phones.
-The CCIS staff at the metal detectors in the door frames must use a protective mask, a face mask and gloves.
-Security officials will use modified portable metal detectors to monitor passengers from a distance.
On the platform
-On the platform floors, large stickers with the message “Ensure social distancing” with a white circle surrounded by a red circle have been affixed at regular intervals to alert travelers.
-Trains will stop longer at each station
In the car
-The number of passengers on a train will be limited to 300-350.
-Only alternate seats will be used.
-Air conditioners inside trains will be set at 26 degrees Celsius
-Passengers must wear their mask throughout the trip.
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