Wearing masks compulsory, graded opening lines part of the guidelines for metro services

New Delhi: Hardeep S Puri Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep S Puri today announced the SOP guidelines for metro operations ahead of resumption of metro services from 7th September in a graded manner. Metros having more than one line should open different lines starting from 7th September onwards in a graded manner so that all corridors become operational by 12th September. 

Daily hours of operations may be staggered initially, which needs to be increased gradually with resumption of full revenue service by 12th September. In the first stage, Delhi Metro services will operate in two shifts, 7 to 11 am and 4 to 8 PM. Normal operations will start from 12th of September.

Frequency of trains will be regulated to avoid passenger crowding at stations and in trains. Stations and entry-exit gates in containment zones will be closed. In order to ensure social distancing, suitable markings at stations and inside trains must be done.

Wearing a face mask is mandatory for all passengers and staff. Metro rail corporations may make arrangements for supply of masks on payment basis to the persons arriving without masks.

Only asymptomatic persons will be allowed to travel after thermal screening at entry into the stations. Symptomatic persons will be advised to go to the nearby COVID Care Centre or Hospital for testing and medical attention. Provision of sanitizers will be made at entry into the stations for use by passengers. Sanitization of all areas having human interface is to be done at regular intervals.

Use of Smart Cards and cashless or online transactions will be encouraged. Tokens and paper slips or tickets must be used with proper sanitization. Metro rail corporations may also resort to skipping of stations to ensure proper social distancing. Passengers are advised to travel with minimum luggage and avoid carrying metallic items for easy and quick scanning. Intake of fresh air in the air-conditioning system must be increased to the extent possible.

Based on these guidelines, Delhi, Noida, Chennai, Kochi, Bangalore, Mumbai Line-1, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Maha Metro (Nagpur), Kolkata, Gujarat and UP Metro (Lucknow) have prepared their SOPs. Maharashtra government has decided not to resume operation of metro during September. Hence, Mumbai Line-1 and Maha Metro operations shall commence from October or as State Government may decide further.