New Delhi (NVI): Metro train services resumed in a graded manner across the country today, except in Maharashtra, after being closed for over five months due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Complying with the Centre’s Unlock 4 guidelines, metro authorities in Delhi, Lucknow, Bengaluru, Noida, Ahmedabad had announced the resumption of their services from today in a calibrated manner.
As the services have restarted after a gap of 169 days, all safety norms and precautionary measures have been put in place to avoid the spread of coronavirus.
Commuters have been advised to follow basic COVID norms while travelling like maintaining social distancing, wearing a face mask and using hand sanitiser.
Only asymptomatic people will be allowed to board trains and stations at containment zones will stay shut.
Furthermore, use of cash transactions and tokens will be discouraged. The frequency of trains will be regulated to avoid crowding at stations and in trains. The passengers have been asked to download the Aarogya Setu app on their smartphones and will undergo thermal checks at stations.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) began its services at 7 am today on the 49-km-long Yellow Line (HUDA City Centre and Samaypur Badli), the first corridor opened as per the Centre’s guidelines easing the measures put in place in view of the pandemic.
“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 and posted a video clip of the first train leaving HUDA City Centre.
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 pic.twitter.com/aCUnYO1ptS
— Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (@OfficialDMRC) September 7, 2020
Hundreds of Delhi Metro ground staff and Central Industrial Security Force personnel wore face shields, masks and gloves as preventive measures against the pathogen.
A few happy faces from our first journey after more than 5 months. ?#MetroBackOnTrack pic.twitter.com/mIuVK9wHGp
— Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (@OfficialDMRC) September 7, 2020
The Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) on Monday resumed its operations on the Aqua Line with strict guidelines in place. The Aqua Line connects the twin cities of Noida and Greater Noida in Gautam Buddh Nagar, over a distance of 29 km through 15 stations.
The trains will run from 7 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 9 pm with a frequency of 15 minutes from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays the services will start from 8 am.
The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) also resumed services on Monday. As per the guidelines, the Chennai Metro will be operational from 8 am to 8 pm. The timings will be increased gradually.
As part of stage one, the CMRL commenced services on the Blue Line — between Airport Metro Station and Washermenpet Metro Station. Chennai Metro operations on the Green Line (between St Thomas Mount and Puratchi Thalaivar Dr MG Ramachandran Central Metro) will resume on September 9.
In addition to this, the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) resumed operations on the Purple Line today. Metro train services on the Green Line will operate from September 9.
Officials said the trains will operate from 8-11 am and 4.30-7.30 pm in the first phase. From September 11, trains on the two lines of the Benagluru Metro will operate from 7 am to 9 pm.
The BMRCL has said a maximum of 400 passengers will be permitted to travel in each train. Alternate seats in the train will be kept vacant and people will be allowed to stand only at marked areas.
-CHK
