Delhi metro set to open with restrictions on Sep 7; check guidelines

New Delhi: As the Delhi metro is set to resume its operations after a gap of five months on September 7 (Monday), the Delhi government issued new guidelines including restrictions which will be in place to ensure safety of passengers amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

The guidelines said that there will be a ban on the sale of tokens for train ride and the number of passengers will be limited in each coach. However, there is no clarity on the figure to limit the passenger influx.

As per Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot, the air conditioning system will be taken out to ensure fresh circulation of air inside the coaches.  

According to the guidelines, trains will not stop at all the stations as there are plans to open the stations in phases. At all the operating stations, all the safety measures like social distancing and thermal scanning will be followed. Hand sanitiser will also be given to the passengers.

The Transport Minister said, “The token system will be completely shut because it can increase the coronavirus spread. It won’t be possible to sanitise the token every time. People will be allowed to only use smart cards and other recharge mediums.”

“All stations will not be opened. Those in containment zones will remain shut. Other than those, there are more stations which will remain shut, the list for the same will be prepared and people will be informed about it,” he added.

Earlier, the Minister of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an official notification on Unlock 4. It read, “Metro rail will be allowed to operate with effect from September 7 in a graded manner. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Ministry of Railways will oversee the reopening of metro services in consultation with the MHA.”

The Delhi government has been finding ways to bring the economy back on track as it was hit badly due to the restrictions imposed to contain the coronavirus spread. The government had requested the Centre to allow operation of Delhi metro in a phased manner.