Photos: Delhi Metro resumes operations after five months

The Delhi Metro resumed services with curtailed operations on the Yellow Line on Monday after being closed for over five months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as both the DMRC and the commuters trod with caution amid the new normal in the rapid transport system. The trains will operate in batches of four-hour each from 7-11 am in the morning and 4-8 pm in the evening.

A metro train approaches Ghitorni metro station after Delhi Metro resumed services with curtailed operation of the Yellow Line and Rapid Metro, amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, in New Delhi.

A commuter gets his bag sanitised as he arrives at a metro station. In keeping with the new normal, the Delhi Metro has taken a slew of measures to ensure least physical contact for riders, like automated thermal screening-cum-sanitiser dispenser and lift-calling system driven by a foot pedal at several stations.

Only smart card users were allowed to travel, which can be recharged digitally without any human interface, the official said, adding tokens were not to be issued as per the plan.

Commuters arrive in a metro station after Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) resumed services following its closure due to the Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic.

A security personnel searches a woman as she arrives at a metro station. Hundreds of Delhi Metro ground staff and Central Industrial Security Force personnel wore face shields, masks and gloves as preventive measures against the pathogen.

Wearing of masks inside train coaches and station premises is mandatory, and those found violating the guidelines would be fined by authorities.

In lifts, only three people at maximum can ride at a time. The stoppage duration of trains at a station has been increased from 10-15 seconds to 20-25 seconds, and at interchange facilities, from 35-40 seconds to 55-60 seconds. "Commuters showing COVID-like symptoms will not be allowed to travel and they will be directed to the nearest heathcare facility," the DMRC official said.

Hundreds of Delhi Metro ground staff and Central Industrial Security Force personnel wore face shields, masks and gloves as preventive measures against the pathogen.

Commuters deboard a metro train at HUDA City Centre station. As the day began, some riders wearing protective masks were seen entering the premises of key stations like Kashmere Gate and Hauz Khas on the Yellow Line, which connects Samyapur Badli in Delhi to HUDA City Centre in Gurgaon.

A commuter said, "I feel good that metro services are starting again. I had to book a cab for travelling to the place which was expensive for me but now I am able to commute at the reasonable fare." Delhi COVID-19 case tally reached 1,91,449 with 3,256 new cases and 29 deaths reported on Sunday.

An employee wears a protective mask while working in a booth at Rajiv Chowk Metro Station. Inside coaches, commuters are to sit on alternate seats and maintain prescribed distance even while standing. Stickers have been put up on alternate seats and on platforms so that riders adhere to social-distancing norms.

In keeping with the new normal, the Delhi Metro has taken a slew of measures to ensure least physical contact for riders, like automated thermal screening-cum-sanitiser dispenser and lift-calling system driven by a foot pedal at several stations. Inside coaches, commuters are to sit on alternate seats and maintain prescribed distance even while standing. Stickers have been put up on alternate seats and on platforms so that riders adhere to social-distancing norms.

A worker sanitizes a fare gate at Rajiv Chowk Metro Station, operated by Delhi Metro Rail Corp., ahead of the resumption of services in New Delhi. India has the world’s second highest number of coronavirus cases, passing Brazil on Monday to reach more than 4.2 million confirmed infections as the epidemic surges across the South Asian nation.

The Home Ministry had recently issued guidelines allowing metro services in the country to resume operations in a graded manner, following which the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) had said it would be done in three stages from September 7-12.

Under stage one, Yellow Line or Line 2 and Rapid Metro were made operational with restricted service hours, a DMRC official said. Metro services in the National Capital Region were closed since March 22 due to the pandemic. The DMRC has appealed to people to use the rapid transport only if urgently needed.

The metro services resumed a day after Delhi registered 3,256 new coronavirus cases, the highest single-day spike in 72 days, taking the tally to over 1.91 lakh. Commuters are returning to the Delhi Metro stations and coaches after a huge gap of 169 days, with COVID-19 completely changing the paradigm of operations. Use of Aarogya Setu App by commuters is advisable, the DMRC has said. In keeping with the new normal, the Delhi Metro has taken a slew of measures to ensure least physical contact for riders, like automated thermal screening-cum-sanitiser dispenser and lift-calling system driven by a foot pedal at several stations.

Security personnel stand guard at Rajiv Chowk station. Hundreds of Delhi Metro ground staff and Central Industrial Security Force personnel wore face shields, masks and gloves as preventive measures against the pathogen.

Commuters sit in a carriage of a Yellow Line train after Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) resumed services following its closure due to the Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic in New Delhi on September 7, 2020. - India overtook Brazil on September 7 as the country with the second highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases, but authorities pressed ahead with opening up the South Asian nation's battered economy.