New Delhi | Jagran News Desk: With the third phase of the phase-wise upliftment of coronavirus-induced lockdown ending on August 31, people across the national capital are wondering when will Delhi metro reopen its services as most of the office goers are facing difficulties to commute. However, their wait is going to end soon as reports suggest that the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will restart its services from the first week of September.
According to a report by Dainik Jagran, the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government has also sent a proposal to the Centre to restart the metro services in the city-state from the first week of September. According to the proposal sent by the Delhi government, only government officials will be allowed to use metro services in the first week. Following the first week, the state government will assess the situation and make a decision to reopen the Metro services for the general public, reported Dainik Jagran.
‘DMRC prepared to reopen its services’
According to the Dainik Jagran report, the Delhi metro has prepared a set of standard operating procedures (SOPs) to check the spread of the deadly coronavirus when it reopens its services. Following are SOPs prepared by the DMRC:
* Government officials, people engaged in essential services will likely be allowed to use Delhi metro in the first phase
* For social distancing in metro trains, stickers have been placed on the other seat leaving one seat in each coach on which it is written - 'Please don’t sit here'.
* Delhi Metro set to restart with only 50 per cent occupancy per coach.
* Passengers will be asked to smart cards instead of tokens.
* Only asymptomatic passengers will be allowed to enter the metro stations.
* It will be mandatory for the passengers to use the Aarogya Setu app.
* The metro train will halt for more than 30 seconds as compared to earlier to ensure social distancing is followed.
Metro services were closed across India after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a nationwide lockdown to break the chain of the deadly coronavirus on March 24. The Centre, however, has eased the restrictions and allowed restaurants, shopping malls and hotels to reopen across the country.