The resumption of metro services operations will take at least a few days, as against the common prediction of many Delhiites on social media. Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot has made it clear that there is no confirmation yet on the resumption of Delhi Metro rail services.
“Whenever such a direction comes, DMRC will require a minimum of 2 days for preparations,” Kailash Gahlot said.
The Delhi Metro Railway Corporation has been gearing up for the resumption of the services even before May 17 when lockdown 3.0 came to an end, hoping that the services may be resumed from May 18. However, services were not resumed on May 18 as the ministry of home affairs did not allow the metro during lockdown 4.0.
A Foot Over Bridge constructed by DMRC to connect the Samaypur Badli station with the Badli Railway station and the Samaypur Village was, meanwhile, opened for the public. This 88m long FOB will be of immense benefit to the residents of Yadav Nagar and Shiv Vihar colonies of Samaypur.
On Tuesday, all DMRC employees were asked to report to duty, which triggered speculations that metro services may start on Wednesday. The DMRC employees were reporting for duty on a rotational basis throughout the lockdown as works were on to prepare Delhi metro COVID-19-ready. But on Tuesday, all 14,000 staff of the DMRC have been asked to attend duty.
However, Delhi transport minister said no confirmation has come in this regard. The Delhi government wants to resume the services, the minister said.
Delhi government wants that metro train services should be started again soon, Gahlot was quoted by ANA as saying.
Reports suggest that only the government employees and people associated with essential services will be allowed to avail of Delhi Metro services as suggested by the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government.
The DMRC has planned to ensure strict social distancing measures and will monitor the passengers through the CCTV installed in the trains. The passengers would have to maintain a distance of 1 meter while traveling in the metro.
According to reports, alternate seats will have to be left vacant by the travelers. The passengers will not have to go through the physical frisking process during security check-up. The Delhi Metro is expected to allow only 50 passengers to coach.
The metro passengers will have to wear masks, undergo thermal screening and have the Aarogya Setu application on their mobile phones.
