Delhi Metro has resumed services on September 7, after being closed for nearly 6 months due to the coronavirus lockdown. It had received nearly 15,000 passengers on the first day itself. Prior to reopening, the metro authorities had laid out some guidelines to be followed by every passenger for travelling. The protocols included the mandatory wearing of masks, sitting on alternative seats inside the coaches and maintaining social distances. In just nine days after reopening, the Delhi Metro has fined 2214 people for not following COVID-19 guidelines.
Delhi Metro Has Appointed A Flying Squad To Ensure Passengers Are Wearing Masks
Section 59 of Delhi Metro’s Operations and Maintenance Act allows the officials to impose a fine of ₹200 for violating rules and creating a public nuisance. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation ( DMRC) has formed a special flying squad to keep an eye on the passengers inside the metro network to ensure that they are wearing masks and following social distancing guidelines. As per TOI reports, in 9 days, from September 11 to September 20, the authority has fined 2214 people for violating the guidelines. Meanwhile, here’s a first-hand experience of travelling by Delhi Metro after the pandemic.
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Maximum Number Of Violators On Yellow Line, Followed By Violet And Blue Line
The maximum number of fines were issued on the Yellow Line that runs from Samaypur Badli to Huda City Centre. This was followed by the Kashmere Gate-Raja Nahar Singh Ballabhgarh route, the Violet Land. The third-highest number of violators were penalised on the Blue Line, that runs from Dwarka Sec-21 to Noida Electronic City. Reportedly, the DMRC teams have also counselled over 5,000 people to increase their awareness of COVID-19 related protocols. DMRC informed that the officials were imposing fines when the passengers were not paying heed to the counsellings and orders of wearing masks.
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On the first day after reopening, Delhi Metro had started services on Yellow Line and Rapid Metro. On September 9, operations started on Blue and Pink Lines as well. A day later, services started along Red, Green and Violet Lines. On September 12, services resumed across on all lines following the pre-lockdown operational timings of 6 AM to 11 PM. The metro staffs are conducting thermal checks at entry points and sanitising hands of every passenger. There is a separate booth in each station for sanitising bags too. The authorities are trying their best to ensure that the virus doesn’t spread while travelling. Let’s all act responsibly and cooperate with them. Meanwhile, these AI-Driven orange robots have been cleaning up Dubai’s metro stations:
First Published: September 23, 2020 12:28 PM