Daily Hustle! Long queues outside Delhi metro stations! What DMRC has clarified on this?

Life in the metro is coming to normality post the second wave lockdown relaxation. However, it is a challenging situation for many who are commuting through public transport.

To follow the social distancing norms, the Delhi metro services are operational with just 50 per cent seating capacity. And due to this, the metros are now observing long queues outside the stations.

See Zee Business Live TV Streaming Below:

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has clarified in an official release that “In recent days, long queues have been observed outside metro stations as entry to the stations is regulated due to restrictions on a number of passengers to be allowed inside the train.”  

It has mentioned that as per the current guidelines, only sitting on alternative seats is permitted and no standing is allowed. Although DMRC is running maximum numbers of trains, passengers have to wait outside the stations because of the restrictions above. 

Currently, the carrying capacity of the Delhi Metro as per existing guidelines is in the range of 10-15 per cent only. 

The long queues are caused as single-entry points only are permitted at most of the Metro stations as in a mass transit system it is difficult to regulate the number of persons inside the system once entry is permitted.

The DMRC is running 5,100 train trips every day with a peak frequency of 2.5 min to 5 min on all the major corridors. This was the same frequency at which Metro was operating during the normal pre-Covid times. The Metro is thus operating and running at its full frequency/capacity but with a reduced number of passengers owing to restrictions.

The DMRC had advised the general public to cooperate with the Metro authorities in ensuring compliance to Covid appropriate behaviour inside Metro premises throughout their travel.

In order to ensure social distancing and compliance to 50 per cent seating inside trains, the public is also advised to take extra time for their daily commute and exhibit covid appropriate behaviour outside the stations also while waiting for their turn to enter the station.

Entry at stations will continue to be regulated through identified gates as was the practice earlier. DMRC is also writing to appropriate authorities for maintenance of law and order outside Metro stations to handle the extra rush as the Metro services resume once again from Monday in the ongoing pandemic scenario.