Breathalyser checks show alarming results: Metro staff
NEW DELHI: Delhi Metro Rail Corporation employees (DMRC) on Tuesday demanded immediate discontinuation of the breathe analyser test for train operators in view of the coronavirus outbreak, saying it is putting them at a potential risk of contacting the contagious disease.
In a letter to DMRC’S managing director Mangu Singh, the DMRC staff council wrote, “Biometric attendance has been suspended but in no stretch of imagination breath analyser test (BA) is safe as remains of breath and droplets will remain in the BA test machine...kindly suspend the BA test and instead self-declaration from train operators should be taken or issue singleuse BA test kit to all train operators should be given.”
More than 1,500 train operators working with the Metro. But there is no plan to discontinue the test. DMRC officials say the test is important as operators are responsible for the safety of passengers.
Anuj Dayal , e x e c ut i v e director, corporate communication, DMRC, “It is mandatory as per Section 29(5) of the Metro Rail General Rules (MRGR) for train operators to undergo the breath analyser test while signing on or off for duty on a daily basis. Every train operator has been issued individual blow pipes for taking the test to ensure there is no chance of any infection. A detailed Covid 19-related advisory has been already issued for DMRC employees, which have been displayed at the crew controls across the network for compliance.”
Coronavirus cases have been on the rise in the national capital and the government has shut schools, colleges, cinema halls, etc. The Metro is the most preferred mode of transportation in the city with nearly 60 lakh passenger journeys every day. D MRC e mp l o y e e s have demanded more preventive equipment at stations.
“At stations, the staff is dealing with passengers doing public contact while issuing tokens, etc. No gloves, sanitisers and masks have been provided to them,” said the council in the email sent to the MD on Tuesday.
According to Dayal, the ministry of health said masks said are not necessary for all individuals and may be used by those who are symptomatic or are giving care to those with symptoms.