Delhi Metro likely to start operations from Tuesday

Delhi Metro, the national capital region’s transport lifeline, is likely to resume operations on September 1 following a five-month hiatus. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS) are being worked out.

Metro services were suspended since March 22, when the nationwide lockdown was announced, with DMRC so far incurring revenue loss of over ~1,500 crore.

Social distancing norms will make it challenging when the Metro opens up, with only 257 gates of the total 671 expected to operate. Only two gates of Rajiv Chowk, Kashmiri Gate, Central Secretariat, and Hauz Khas will be opened.

To avoid crowding, DMRC will ensure only a certain number of passengers are allowed entry. Therefore, only one gate of each metro station and two gates of larger station are expected to remain open once services resume.

Only 50 people will be allowed inside coaches — nearly a sixth of the usual capacity. To put stricter hygiene standards in place, hand sanitizers will be installed at metro stations, along with contactless ticket vending counters, and mandatory temperature checks for which both DMRC and CISF personnel will be deployed. Frequency of trains will increase but the overall travel time will rise as stoppage time is expected to double from 20 seconds. For some interchange stations, halt time may be higher.

“All gates will not be available; there will be only one entry/exit gate and a maximum of two gates in large stations. Since tokens are risky, they will be replaced with smart cards,” said DMRC MD Mangu Singh.

Not more than 50 people will be allowed inside a coach, nearly a sixth of the usual no. of passengers