The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) resumed its services on Monday after being suspended as part of measures to ensure social distance to curb the spread of the Kovid-19 epidemic.
The services started at 7 am on Monday from the 49 km long Yellow Line (HUDA city center and Samapur Badli), the first crossing was opened as per the Centre’s guidelines to ease the measures taken in view of the epidemic.
There were no major crowds during the first hour of service resumption but passengers said they were happy to see it finally happen. Kumud Priya, a passenger at Rajiv Chowk metro station, said, “I left early to make sure I didn’t get stuck in queues. At least until the early hours of the morning, there was no crowd … people are also following instructions responsibly. The opening is a great relief. “
Also read: Covid-19: As Metro services resume, air flow has become the biggest health challenge
Commercial activities and offices have been allowed to reopen in the capital under the Centre’s unlocked guidelines, and commuters have been facing many difficulties in the absence of proper public transport. Restrictions on the number of passengers on public transport added to the difficulties.
A security guard inspects a passenger at Rajiv Chowk station. Delhi Metro resumed services on Monday. (PTI)
Additional staff have been deployed at the stations, especially large ones like Rajiv Chowk, to ensure that passengers follow all the rules of safe travel.
Security personnel were using metal detectors attached to rods to ensure social distance during freezing at stations after thermal scanning. People were allowed to enter the stations after lighting their hands.
An employee cleans the entrance at Rajiv Chowk station. (PTI)
Services will be fully operational by September 12 and passengers are advised to make only necessary trips and “talk less” during the trip.
Also read: Delhi Metro says it is ready for the Covid-19 challenge
An interview with HT last week. In December, DMRC chief Mangu Singh acknowledged that crowdfunding was a concern and that his efforts were “breaking the peaks”.
“We want to make sure there are no tops in the crowd; That’s a flow here. We want people to support us and plan trips accordingly because this is the best way to use the system. And we will be able to provide the best service. ”
Passengers enter Hooda City Center Station. (PTI)
DMRC Has issued detailed advice on doses and do’s and don’ts for travelers traveling this new common post-coronavirus epidemic. Anuj Dayal, Executive Director, Corporate Communications, DMRC, said, “In addition to breaking the ‘peak’, DMRC has urged passengers to be less talkative while traveling in the metro to avoid the possibility of short-term aerosol transmission.” . “
Follow the precautions against Kovid-19: Arvind Kejriwal
Expressing happiness over the resumption of Metro on Monday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said there should be no negligence in following the precautionary measures against Kovid-19.
“I’m glad Metro (services) is starting today. The metro is well organized. Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi, “We should not be careless in following precautions.
I’m glad the metro starts today. The metro is well organized. We should not all be careless in our use of precautions. https://t.co/bFUz9XXk74
– Arvind Kejriwal (Arvind Kejriwal) September 7, 2020
DMRC has strictly adhered to various measures such as wearing masks and using sanitizers, social distances, use of smart cards and thermal screening to ensure safe transportation between Kovid-19 epidemics.
The Home Ministry had recently issued guidelines allowing the introduction of metro services in the country in a graded manner, following which the DMRC said it would do so in three phases from September 7 to 12.
A DMRC official said that under the first phase, Yellow Line or Line 2 and Rapid Metro were operated with limited service time.
During the first phase, the train will operate in four-hour groups from 7 am to 11 am and from 4 pm to 8 pm, officials said.
Metro services in the National Capital Region were suspended on March 22 due to the epidemic. DMRC Has appealed to the people to use transport only if there is an urgent need.
(With PTI inputs)
