The Government of India, on the 2nd of September, issued guidelines for metro service resumption in Delhi and Kolkata.
Metro trains will resume services in a graded manner from the 7th of September.
Metros having more than one line should open different lines in a staggered manner so that all corridors become operational by the 12th of September.
according to standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the Central Government, restarting metro services fall under the Unlock 4.0., which was implemented from the 1st of September.
Stations coming under containment zones will remain closed.
The metro guidelines read, “Daily hours of operations may be staggered initially, which needs to be increased gradually with resumption of full revenue service by September 12, 2020. Frequency of trains to be regulated to avoid passenger crowding at stations and in trains.”
The SOPs have been finalised following discussions with the managing directors of 15 Metro rail corporations. The meeting regarding the same was held on the 1st of September, Tuesday.
However, the Government of Maharashtra has decided not to resume operation of the metro in September.
Hence, Mumbai Line-1 and Maha Metro operations are likely to begin from October, 2020.
The Union Home Ministry had empowered the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to issue the standard procedures to be adopted for resumption of metro services.
In order to ensure social distancing, suitable markings at stations and inside trains will be done. Wearing of masks wouldl be mandatory for all passengers and staff. Metro rail corporations may make arrangements for supply of masks on payment basis to the persons arriving without mask, the guidelines noted.
The SOP read, “Only asymptomatic persons to be allowed to travel after thermal screening at entry into the stations. Symptomatic persons should be advised to go to nearby Covid Care Centre/Hospital for testing/medical attention. Use of Aarogya Setu App to be encouraged.”
Provision of sanitizers would be made at entry into the stations for use by passengers.
The guidelines said that the use of Smart Cards and cashless/online transactions will be encouraged but tokens can be used with proper sanitization.
The SOP also read, “Operation of Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) system as per the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) & Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ISHRAE) guidelines. Intake of fresh air in air-conditioning system to be increased to the extent possible.”
Metro services would begin in Delhi and Kolkata from the 7th of September.
Stay tuned for further updates.
