Life in a metro back on tracks after 169 days in Delhi

New Delhi: Delhi Metro, the lifeline and backbone of public transport in the national capital, came back on the tracks with a bang on Monday, after remaining closed for around five months, due to the global pandemic of Novel Coronavirus, albeit in a staggered manner.

The Delhi Metro resumed its services this morning on Line-2 (Yellow Line) from Samaypur Badli to HUDA City Centre including Rapid Metro, Gurugram at 0700 hrs.

On September 7 and 8, only the Yellow Line (49 km with 37 stations, consisting of 20 underground and 17 elevated stations) will remain operational for a period of four hours each in the morning (0700 hrs to 1100 hrs) and evening (1600 hrs to 2000 hrs).

''Over a period of next five days, by September 12, rest of the Lines will also be made operational with all safety measures in place to check the spread of COVID-19 in the Metro premises, which requires everyone to follow a new normal of social distancing, face mask and hand sanitisation,'' a DMRC spokesperson said.

The trains will be available with a headway varying from 2'44'' to 5'28'' (at different stretches), with 57 trains performing around 462 trips.The same will be further extended in a graded manner from September 9-12, along with other Lines.

The DMRC spokesperson said that to maintain the orderliness and regulate the flow of passengers with social distancing norms, only one or two gates will be kept open for the entry/exit of passengers at a station.

''Therefore, passengers are advised to check the earmarked Gate number/location well in advance from DMRC website www.delhimetrorail.com,'' he added.

As per the new travel protocol, passengers will be permitted to sit on alternate seats only in the train or stand, maintaining adequate social distancing.'Do not sit here' stickers have been fixed on alternate seats to maintain social distancing inside the train.

The spokesperson said wearing of face mask/cover will be mandatory for all commuters during entry into the stations/trains and during the entire journey. Use of 'Aarogya Setu App' for updating health status by passengers will be advisable.All passengers will be required to undergo thermal screening and hand sanitisation at the entry/frisking point itself, he added.(UNI)