Metro train operations to begin from September 7: New rules and guidelines
New Delhi : As a part of Unlock 4, the Centre has allowed metro train operations from September 7 and to ensure maximum safety of passenger, the government has issued a new set of rules and guidelines. The entry and exit gates of metro rail networks at containment zones will remain shut, and waiting time will increase to 5-7 minutes as trains will be sanitised at turnaround points.
Passengers will be encouraged to use the coronavirus tracker app Aarogya Setu during the Metro train travel.
"Initially, we will open only one line and the operating hours will be 7 am to 11 am and 4 pm to 8 pm," Delhi Metro Rail Corporation chief Mangu Singh said.
Only asymptomatic people will be allowed to board the train, Junior Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri told reporters today.
"We focused on Delhi Metro first because it has the most extensive network," he said. "Metros having more than one line should open different lines from September 7 in a graded manner so that all corridors become operational by September 12," Mr Puri said.
The frequency of trains will be regulated depending upon the rush of the passengers, who will be encouraged to use online mode of payments or use metro cards to travel.
Based on these guidelines, the metro authorities in Delhi, Noida, Chennai, Kochi, Bengaluru, Mumbai Line-1, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Maha Metro (Nagpur), Kolkata, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh have prepared their standard operating procedures, Mr Puri said. Maharashtra has, however, decided not to resume metro operation this month.
For Delhi Metro, its managing director Mangu Singh said all lines will not open at once. "We may open only one-two lines in the beginning and make things normal by September 12. Yellow Line will open on September 7. We will see how it goes, and then decide to open Blue and Pink Lines on September 9," Mr Singh told reporters.
Delhi Metro will open Red, Green and Violet Lines on September 10. Magenta and Grey Lines will open on September 11 and Airport Express Line on September 12.
"If we find (guidelines') violations at any station, then the train won't stop at that station… Please use with discipline because it will be reviewed after a week," Mr Singh said.
