NEW DELHI: With hapless commuters compelled to wait for nearly an hour on average to enter the busy Metro stations during peak hours these days, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has requested Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) to allow standing passengers in its trains, sources said.
A letter has been written by the operations department of DMRC to the divisional commissioner of Delhi, who is also the DDMA secretary, they added.
As part of the gradual unlock process, DDMA had allowed Delhi Metro to resume train services but with only 50% of its seating capacity and no standing passengers.
Sources said that “DMRC has stated in the letter that Metro systems are designed to provide more standing capacity in order to carry large numbers of commuters during peak hours and that is why, the present carrying capacity is 10-15% of the capacity its train coaches are designed for.” DMRC has also mentioned in its appeal that all government offices, PSUs, local bodies and private offices have been allowed to function and malls, markets, etc are also open.
It has said that opening of most economic activities and workplaces and limited capacity being offered for travel by Metro have led to large queues outside Metro stations and larger waiting time, leading to frequent complaints, sources said.
DMRC has also mentioned that with limited space available in Metro, coupled with long waiting hours, people are being forced to take their private vehicles or other modes, leading to more violation of Covid norms in grameen sewa vehicles, mini buses, e-rickshaws, auto rickshaws, etc.
After the national lockdown last year, when Delhi Metro operations were closed for 169 days, the services resumed in September 2020 as per a detailed standard operating procedure (SOP) prepared based on guidelines issued by the ministry of housing and urban affairs.
Sources said, “DMRC has mentioned in the letter that as per the SOP, necessary signage and markings are in place inside the stations and coaches, with seating allowed on alternate seats and standing with social distancing.” DMRC has requested that in larger public interest, Metro services may be allowed to run as per the SOP approved by the central government as of now and further relaxation may be allowed once the situation improves.