The central government is yet to resume operation of Delhi Metro, which has been closed for four months. Union Housing and Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has hinted that the Metro could be resumed after August 15.
New Delhi: The Central government is yet to resume operation of Delhi Metro, which has been closed for four months. Union Housing and Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has hinted that the Metro could be resumed after August 15. A Standard Operating Procedure will soon be brought in, with only 50 per cent capacity. However, ordinary passengers will have to wait.
Strict rules
Puri said the rules will be tightened so that the fight against corona virus infection continues and passengers can also be facilitated. In the first phase, only government employees, health workers and other essential services will be able to travel when the Metro runs.
Metro to run in addition to Delhi
The central government is considering to open metro services simultaneously, not just in a single metropolis or city, but across the country. The ministry has also insisted on reopening the metro system everywhere, as all metro authorities are at a huge disadvantage. At the same time, the closure of the metro service is also causing heavy jams on the roads. The wait is now for the next upcoming phase of unlock guidelines this month.
Rs 300 crore per month
According to data, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, which was closed since March 22, has lost over Rs 1350 crore so far. Dmrc officials say metro trains are being operated in many cities of the world with convenience and safety. Trains are being operated for fewer passengers. In many countries of the world, metro trains are running with less than 50 per cent of the passengers.
The Delhi Metro has been closed for nearly four months due to corona infection. But amidst the transition, all offices, sites and depots of the Delhi Metro are functioning regularly. The total network of Delhi Metro is 389 km, with a total of 285 metro stations. More than 300 metro trains are also operational.
All offices, sites and depots are open
“Metro trains are not available for passenger services during the Covid epidemic, but all delhi metro offices, sites, depots, etc., are functioning regularly,” Anuj Dayal, executive director, DMRC, told IANS. All the 12 metro depots are serving employees at full capacity and the maintenance of trains is going undone, he said.
Trains are running on each line in the morning and evening as per technical requirement to ensure inspection of the entire section. The Delhi Metro has not been allowed to be launched by the government so far and metro services are still closed. It is noteworthy that most of the things have been opened back in many states. Offices have also started and people are returning out of their homes to do their jobs while keeping themselves safe. But millions of people have been affected by the absence of metros in Delhi.
