Covid-19 norms being flouted in Metro; DMRC says action being taken

New Delhi: From no mask to wearing it improperly, a large section of Delhi Metro commuters are flouting Covid norms inside trains and on station premises even as the DMRC said it is "adopting all necessary measures" to ensure adherence to the safety norms.

From north Delhi's Kashmere Gate station, which has multiple interchange facilities, to the relatively smaller

station of Jungpura in south Delhi, on-spot visits by PTI found several passengers without a mask. Some commuters even facetiously claimed that "Covid is over".

Many passengers, not wearing a mask, were seen being allowed inside the station after being frisked by security personnel.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is tasked with the security of Delhi Metro premises and its personnel guard entry and exits as well. A CISF personnel on duty at Kashmere Gate metro station admitted that many passengers were walking into the station's premises, without wearing masks.

"Those who say they have forgotten to wear a mask, we suggest them to buy it from street vendors selling those for just Rs 5 outside the main entrance gate of the metro. But hardly anyone listens.

"We have heard that there have been scuffles with security personnel at other stations when they objected to the entry of people violating the Covid norm," he said.