Metro to issue paper tickets to handle passenger rush in Pujas

Kolkata: Kolkata Metro has once again decided to issue paper tickets to handle the huge rush of passengers during the Durga Puja days this year.

Apart from the catering to a huge number of passengers during the Puja, paper tickets will also help the Metro officials to manage the crowd in a better way. As many of the passengers coming from the districts to see the Durga Puja in the city are not conversant with the automatic token-based ticketing system, the paper tickets system will be easier for them.

To overcome the situation, Metro Railways in previous years introduced printed card tickets. The same tickets will be issued during the Puja days this year as well. Current fares would be printed on the tickets which will be punched at entry and exit gates. Passengers will just need to show the tickets at the exit gates. This will also reduce the queues, a senior official of the Metro Railways said.

The smart card holders will be able to use their cards as usual and there will be dedicated gates for them at each station.

Security arrangements will also be enhanced in and around the Metro stations. Police in plain clothes will be deployed at all the Metro stations. Number of trains have been increased on all Saturdays to meet the extra rush of the puja buyers. During the Puja days more number of trains will be made operational to clear the rush of passengers. On Saptami, Astami and Nabamai the trains will ply till 4 am with the services starting from 1.40 pm. It will function normally on Panchami and Sasthi.