Metro services to start in graded manner; govt issues SOP

With the Union Home Ministry allowing resumption of metro rail services from September 7, the Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep S Puri said services will start in a graded manner.

Announcing SOP for resuming metro service, the Minister said that services will start in phases and initially only a few lines will operate.

"Multi-route Metro networks should resume trains from Sept 7 in a graded manner so that all lines are operational by September 12," Puri told media after releasing Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the resumption of services.

Initially, trains will operate in a few lines with limited hours. Gradually more trains and all routes will be operated, he said.

For passengers, adequate time will be provided at stations to enable them smoot boarding/deboarding ensuring social distancing. However stations remained close in Covid-19 containment zone, he said.

The minister warned that metro trains will not stop in stations where passengers found not following social distancing norms.

Passengers must wear masks and downloading Arogya Setu is optional.

Follow live updates on coronavirus

Following are the SOP :

1. Metro operations to be resumed in graded manner. Metros having more than one line should open different lines starting from September 7, 2020, onwards in a graded manner so that all corridors become operational by September 12, 2020. Daily hours of operations may be staggered initially, which needs to be increased gradually with resumption of full revenue service by September 12, 2020. Frequency of trains to be regulated to avoid passenger crowding at stations and in trains.

2.​ Stations/ entry-exit gates in containment zones to be closed.

3.​​ In order to ensure social distancing, suitable markings at stations and inside trains to be done.

4.​ Wearing of face mask to be made mandatory for all passengers and staff. Metro rail corporations may make arrangements for supply of masks on payment basis to the persons arriving without mask.

5.​ Only asymptomatic persons to be allowed to travel after thermal screening at entry into the stations. Symptomatic persons should be advised to go to nearby COVID Care Centre/Hospital for testing/medical attention. Use of Aarogya Setu App to be encouraged.

6.​ Provision of sanitisers to be made at entry into the stations for use by passengers. Sanitisation of all areas having human interface viz. equipment, train, working area, lift, escalators, handrail, AFC gate, toilets etc. needs to be done at regular intervals.

7.​Use of Smart Card and cashless/online transactions to be encouraged. Tokens and paper slips/ticket to be used with proper sanitisation.

8.​ Adequate dwell time at stations to be provided to enable smooth boarding/deboarding, ensuring social distancing. Metro rail corporations may also resort to skipping of stations to ensure proper social distancing.

9. ​Passengers to be advised to travel with minimum luggage and avoid carrying metallic items for easy and quick scanning.

10. ​Operation of Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) system as per the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) & Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ISHRAE) guidelines. Intake of fresh air in air-conditioning system to be increased to the extent possible.

11. ​Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign to be launched for passenger and staff through electronic/print/social media, poster, banner, hoarding, website etc.

12. ​Metro rail corporations to keep close liaison with state police and local administration for regulating crowd outside station and to deal with contingencies.