After a slumber of 5 months, DMRC resumed its services on Monday with a downsized operation of the Yellow line. The pandemic has caused a lot of trouble for daily commuters as the Metro services being suspended after the enforcement of first lockdown in March.
DMRC and the people boarding the metro are very cautious about the current situation as the number of the cases is spiked again in Delhi. Strong preventive measures are being adopted by the DMRC and the people to adapt the new normal in midst of the pandemic.
At 7 a.m. the services recommenced with a very strict safety and social distancing measures in place. The first trains left from Samaypur Badli station to HUDA City Centre station and simultaneously from HUDA City Centre to Samaypur Badli, a senior official of DMRC said.
“We are on our way. It’s been 169 days since we’ve seen you! Travel responsibly and commute if it’s only necessary. #MetroBackOnTrack,” the DMRC tweeted along with a video clip of the first train leaving HUDA City Centre.
The Passengers are allowed to enter the metro lobby only after temperature checks with thermal guns and hand sanitization. As a preventive measure and safety caution, the DMRC ground staff wore face shields, masks and gloves following the safety guidelines. With the beginning of the day, the daily commuters were seen using the protective masks before entering the premises of the stations like Kashmere Gate and Hauz Khas on Yellow Line.
“A few happy faces from our first journey after more than 5 months. #MetroBackOnTrack,” the DMRC said in another tweet and posted pictures of some commuters wearing masks inside train coaches.
Recently safety guidelines were issued by The Home Ministry for allowing the recommencing of the metro services, DMRC stated that it is planned to be done in three staged from 7-12 September.
Trains are allowed to operate in two batched for four hours each, from 7-11 a.m, in the morning and 4-8 p.m. in the evening. This is the part of the first stage as stated by the officials.
Using protective masks inside the train coaches and the station premises is a must, and those who will neglect or found violating these important guidelines will be fined by the authorities. Aarogya Setu app should be used by the commuters as advised by DMRC.
To reduce the risk of physical contact to the minimum, DMRC has employed automated thermal screening and sanitizer dispenser. Inside the coaches the commuters will maintain a distance by sitting on alternate seats and to reinforce this stickers have been put on alternative seats and on platform stating the social-distancing norms and awareness.
