Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has resumed metro services from today after a gap of more than five months due to coronavirus-induced lockdown. The Centre had suspended the metro services in the last week of March to curb spread of the pandemic.The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has come up with a fresh set of guidelines to be followed in view of the current situation. All possible measures to minimize the risk of virus transmission have been undertaken. Here are things commuters should know before boarding the metro.
Daily metro services in shiftsIn order to avoid the problem of overcrowding at metro stations, the DMRC issued timing guidelines for running metro services. Till September 10, the metro will be open from 7 am to 11 am and 4 pm to 8 pm. And only the Yellow Line - from Samaypur Badli to Huda City Centre - will be functional in phase I.From September 11 onwards, with some extension, metro will be functional from 7 am to 1 pm, 4 pm to 10 pm. And from September 12, Delhi Metro will run from 6 am to 11 pm.Other lines of Delhi Metro - Blue Line, Pink Line & Gurgaon Line - will start operating from September 9 onwards.
Social distancing on top of agendaOnly select gates will be opened for entry at metro stations to avoid the problem of overcrowding. There will be a separate gate for the exit. The frequency of trains would be much less. Metro trains won't stop at stations where passengers are not seen adhering to social distancing.
Asymptomatic patientsOnly asymptomatic patients will be allowed to travel in Delhi Metro after thermal screening at the entry gates. Those showing symptoms will be advised to go to a nearby COVID centre or hospital for medical attention.
Smart card and cashless transactionsIn a bid to avoid any physical contact between commuters and metro employees, passengers will no longer be given tokens for commuting. Only those with smart-cards will be permitted to commute. Passengers will now have to get their smart-cards recharged online.
Use of facemasksAccording to the 'Unlock 4' guidelines, wearing a mask is mandatory for all passengers.