Citizens express concerns over safety, DMRC says no need to panic

NEWDELHI: Six days before the first section of Delhi Metro’s new magenta line with new trains and a signalling system was to open, a freak accident has raised safety concerns of the transit network.

Metro users took to social media even as Delhi Metro urged people not to panic. Commuters questioned the safety of “driverless” technology as the train that met with the accident was to be a part of the first “unattended train operation.” DMRC said the train was being operated by a driver.

“Although these trains can run driverless, we plan to operate them through drivers for at least 2-3 years for successful transition,” said a metro official.

“I would prefer boarding a ‘bus’ i nstead of ‘ driverless Metro,” tweeted Kajol.

“It’s a driverless metro or brain less metro! Machines can’t replace humans! “Kalindi Kunj,” wrote Akhil.

Metro chief Mangu Singh, in a statement after the accident, said, “Operations on this line are absolutely safe, with a high level of automation and has been thoroughly checked and cleared by the commissioner of metro rail safety for passenger operations”.

Delhi Metro released a video message, asking the passengers not to panic. “The line has full clearance from the commissioner of metro rail security and there is no need for the public to panic at all. This has nothing to do with signalling system,” Anuj Dayal. DMRC’S spokesperson, said.

“Today’s incident was a manual error during maintenance and has nothing to do with the trials or passenger safety,” Mangu Singh added. NEWDELHI: Union human resource development minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday said the decision to change the name of Dyal Singh College (evening) to Vande Mataram Mahavidyalaya has been put on hold with immediate effect.

The managing committee of the college, which comes under Delhi University, recently took a decision to rename the evening college. “It (the decision) is not the decision of the government and the government does not like such things. We have told Delhi University also that it is wrong to create unnecessary controversy by playing with emotions,” Javadekar said in the Rajya Sabha.

Shiromani Akali Dal member Naresh Gujral, who raised the issue during zero hour, said the words “Vande Mataram” evoke a patriotic fervour in every Indian and urged upon the HRD minister to set up Vande Mataram Universities all over the country.

“…but to change the name of a minority institution is a direct assault on the feelings of the Sikhs,” Gujral said. He leader urged the HRD minister to immediately replace the college’s managing committee. “This is a divisive committee, which is trying to create communal hatred in this country and I hope the minister will take note of this,” he said.

Javadekar informed the house that DU has been told to hold a meeting immediately. “We won’t allow it to happen (name change),” the minister said.

Amitabh Sinha, the chairman of the college’s governing body, said it was not a minority institution as mentioned in Rajya Sabha. “Gujral has wrongly said the college is a minority institution. It is a fully DU managed college. We have followed all rules and regulations while taking the decision to rename it,” he said. Sinha said university rules require changing of name of an evening college when it is converted into a regular shift college.