New Delhi: Installation of Aaragya Setu app, wearing a face mask, maintaining social distancing are some of the mandatory requirements that a passenger needs to follow while travelling by metro rail from September 7.
The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) on Wednesday will release the standard operating procedures (SOP) regarding the resumption of metro rail service after a long suspension since March 23.
MoHUA secretary Durga Shankar Mishra on Tuesday had a meeting with all managing directors of metro rail corporations to finalise SOPs.
"The SOPs have been discussed today through video conferencing by Durga Shankar Mishra with MDs of various metro companies. The suggestions were considered in the VC meeting and accordingly, SOPs are being finalised," a senior official from MoHUA told ETV Bharat.
MOHUA minister Hardeep Singh Puri will make the announcement of SOP guidelines on Wednesday, the official said.
MDs of all 17 metro corporations took part in Tuesday's video conferencing.
It may be mentioned here that the Unlock 4 guidelines that came into effect from Tuesday, has also decided to resume metro rail service in a graded manner.
Also read: More trains to run in coming days: Railways
Officials said that all necessary health protocols have been included in the SOP. The SOP was finalised with the consultation of the Home Ministry. Surprise checking will also be conducted by metro and health ministry officials once the service resumes.
Officials said that each train will also be sanitised at the originating and terminating stations and a proper announcement will be made at each stations educating people about the need to wear a mask and maintain social distancing.
Political parties, as well as the general public, have been demanding resumption of metro service for better connectivity amid COVID-19 pandemic.
It may be mentioned here that due to the Covid19 lockdown, Delhi metro registered a major loss in revenue.
Officials said that DMRC had incited a financial loss of Rs 1,500 crore following the suspension of operations.
