Metro may not stop at stations with risk of crowding: DMRC

New Delhi: As the Coronavirus crisis continues to throw a spanner in the modern-day existence of Delhiites, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has issued an advisory announcing that trains might not stop at stations that might be at risk of crowding when the train passes through, in a bid to encourage social distancing. The DMRC further announced that this measure may be altered depending on how the COVID-19 situation evolves over the next few weeks.

The Delhi Metro specifically defines crowded stations as ones where the number of people does not allow commuters to maintain the prescribed 1 m distance between themselves. The DMRC also asked Delhiites to avoid the mass rapid transport network unless absolutely necessary. It said commuters must use the metro only when it is "essential and unavoidable", adding, "Random thermal scanning of passengers will be carried out at all metro stations."

"In case anyone has a fever or is observed to have any symptom of coronavirus infection, he or she will be referred for medical tests and quarantine to the authorities," it said. In view of this pandemic, the metro travellers are advised that they should use the metro network for essential travel only and should travel by metro only when it is "essential and unavoidable". "Maintain at least 1 m distance from each other while travelling in the metro or at the station i.e. standing passengers are not allowed and alternate seats be left vacant," the advisory said. Any passenger who has symptoms similar to those infected by the virus are strictly advised to avoid travel by the metro or any other mode of public transport, the statement added.

Meanwhile, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a "Janata Curfew" on March 22 (Sunday), the Delhi Metro also announced that it will be closed for use on the day, in a move it said is

"aimed at encouraging the public to stay indoors and maintain social distancing, which is essential in the fight against COVID-19".