New Delhi: After being shut for 169 days due to COVID-19, Metro on Monday resumed its services while ensuring that social distancing norms were adhered to at several stations. The police force has been deployed outside the metro stations for crowd management.
Based on central guidelines, the metro authorities of Delhi, Noida, Chennai, Kochi, Bengaluru, Mumbai Line-1, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Maha Metro (Nagpur), Kolkata, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh have prepared their standard operating procedures. Maharashtra will not be resuming metro operation this month.
Metro Resumes: Delhi
Barricades have been installed at the entrance gates of Rajiv Chowk metro stations to maintain social distancing.
A few happy faces from our first journey after more than 5 months. ?#MetroBackOnTrack pic.twitter.com/mIuVK9wHGp
— Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (@OfficialDMRC) September 7, 2020
“We have deployed police force at every metro station for crowd management and to ensure that people wear face masks and follow norms of social distancing,” said Atul Katiyar, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Delhi.
People taking the #DelhiMetro on the first day of resumption of services say, “It is a very good move. Metro rail helps save time and money. Passengers need to take all precautions while travelling. Service hours should be gradually extended.” pic.twitter.com/f6I3Z2aGxH
— ANI (@ANI) September 7, 2020
In phase 1, metro services will be resumed on Yellow Line connecting Samaypur Badli to Huda City Centre and Rapid Metro in Gurugram and the operating hours are 7 am to 11 am and 4 pm hours to 8 pm. Only the use of a Smart Card allowed for entry.
Hyderabad metro services resume
In phase one, services on the Red Line – from LB Nagar to Miyapur – have commenced.
Telangana: Hyderabad metro services resume after Centre’s #UNLOCK4 guidelines; less footfall seen.
In phase one, services on the Red Line – from LB Nagar to Miyapur – have commenced. pic.twitter.com/QIl6jeVtcS
— ANI (@ANI) September 7, 2020
“It feels great as the services have been resumed after nearly six months. They have made good arrangements and we are returning to normalcy,” Vamshi, a commuter told ANI.
Lucknow Metro services resume
Following preventive measures against COVID-19 while Chennai Metro resumed service on Blue Line (between Airport and Washermenpet) as part of Unlock 4.
Lucknow Metro services have resumed from 7am today, following preventive measures against #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/mGCCmB23N7
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) September 7, 2020
Bengaluru Metro also resumed its service with Purple Line as part of Unlock 4 while Delhi Metro has resumed services from 7 am today after being shut for 169 days due to COVID-19.
Kochi Metro services resume with strict COVID-19 protocols
The first train departed with only five passengers from Aluva station to Thykoodam. Metro stations here wore a deserted look on the first day of resumption of services.
It’s a new dawn, a new day and we are feeling good. Have a safe journey with Kochi Metro.#Metrocares #KochiMetro pic.twitter.com/nE5Is6XMFq
— Kochi Metro Rail (@MetroRailKochi) September 7, 2020
Stickers have been placed on the stations to ensure social distancing, thermal screening is also being conducted here while arrangements have been made for sanitisers and masks at the stations.
In order for contactless travelling, cash boxes have been kept at the stations for buying tokens. Moreover, no security body checking is being carried out here amid the pandemic.
