Metro should be resumed on trial basis, says Kejri ‘Requested Centre that Delhi should be treated differently’

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said that Metro train services in Delhi should be resumed on a trial basis as the coronavirus situation was improving in the city and hoped the Centre would soon take a decision on it.

Interacting with traders, entrepreneurs and businessmen in the city in a ‘Digital Samvad’, the chief minister also said that markets and roads in Delhi would be beautified on the lines of the Chandni Chowk redevelopment project, which is expected to be completed by November-December.

“I have requested the Centre that Delhi should be treated differently. Corona situation is

improving in Delhi. If they do not want to run Metro trains in other cities, let it be so. But, in Delhi Metro train services should be started in a phased manner on a trial basis. We have raised this issue before the Centre many times, I hope the Centre will soon take a decision in this regard,” he said.

The chief minister highlighted various steps taken by his government to revive the pandemic-hit

economy of the city and said it would make some big announcements about the industry sector in coming days.

Mr Kejriwal also assured the traders that anomalies in circle rates in some areas would be addressed.

Traders and businesspersons from different markets of the city dealing in automotive parts, construction sector, garments and textile, event management, among others, shared their problems with and extended suggestions to the chief minister during the virtual interaction.

Mr Kejriwal said that their suggestions were noted and would be considered for necessary action. Meanwhile, MDDMRC chief Dr Mangu Singh's inspection of the Rajiv Chowk Metro station on August 20, to check effective functioning of various operational systems and maintenance activities, also hinted at the resumption of metro services.

Metro services in the national capital were suspended on March 25 as the nationwide lockdown to stop the spread of coronavirus began. The Delhi Metro started preparations for the resumption of train services and protocol for social distancing in May only.