From water seepage to cracked walls, the poor upkeep of the stations has become glaring this rainy season
The lifeline of national Capital, the Delhi Metro, which is used by lakhs of commuters on a daily basis, is ailing with unclean surroundings, non-functional lifts and LCDs, among other infrastructure issues. Even as the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation remains on an expansion spree, connecting even remote parts of the National Capital Region with Delhi, these sore spots need immediate intervention by the rail body.
Notably, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has thousands of employees on the board who have been tasked with maintaining the upkeep of platforms, lifts, toilets in good condition.
From water seepage to cracked walls to waterlogged exits and entrance of stations, the poor upkeep of the stations has become glaring in the rainy season. Stairs leading up to platforms in some stations were slippery and wet, while in some, the entrance and exit were waterlogged due to downpour. The platforms too were dirty with rainwater. Metro stations with steady and massive footfall such as Akshardham, Mayur Vihar Phase-I, Noida Sector 16, Noida Sector 18, Noida City Centre, Golf Course, Lajpat Nagar have gradually become a picture of neglect with dirty walls and plaster peeling off them. Entrance and exit to some of these stations are littered with plastic waste and empty food wrappers.
According to a senior DMRC official, there are round-the-clock housekeeping and technical staff to maintain the stations. While the tasks have been outsourced, we monitors the upkeep. The official, however, rued that despite putting in best efforts, non-cooperation from commuters makes it difficult for them to maintain the premises spick and span all the time. "We regularly plaster and paint the walls, and the floors of stations and platforms are cleaned all through the day. We put in our best to provide the best services but those using the facility should also act responsibly and not litter. We expect only this much cooperation from them," the official said.
The Noida Sector 16 Metro station on the Blue Line, which sees a huge footfall of office goers, is particularly unclean, with beggars sitting on the stairs regularly seeking alms. Noida Sector 18 station that is most busy with mall hoppers also faces has unclean floors, entrance and exits.
In few stations such as Kashmere Gate, Dwarka Mod, Janakpuri West, LCDs were found to be non-functional. On the other hand, passengers travelling to Terminal 1, domestic airport on Magenta Line have complained of lifts not being functional on a few occasions.
Mandi House, which is also the interchange for the Blue Line and Violet Line, the paid toilet facility was reeking of urine.
"Nothing beats the comfort of travelling in Metro during peak hours. We are proud of the facility but as ridership increases, some chinks have developed in the cleanliness and infrastructure upkeep at stations," said Kanika Mohanty, a resident of Ashok Nagar.
SORRY STATE OF AFFAIRS
- Metro stations with steady and massive footfall such as Akshardham, Mayur Vihar Phase-I, Noida Sector 16, Noida Sector 18, Noida City Centre, Golf Course, Lajpat Nagar have gradually become a picture of neglect with dirty walls and plaster peeling off them.
- Entrance and exit to some of these stations are littered with plastic waste and empty food wrappers.
VOICES
The Metro services in the Capital are the best way to travel but the poor maintenance of its infrastructure and the dirty and sticky washrooms certainly are negative points. I wish, the DMRC officials do something at the earliest to better these auxiliary services.
— Sagar Galhotra, Businessman
During rains, we wait inside the metro station for the rains to stop but these days it is no point as there is water everywhere on the floor. Last time, while waiting, the bottom of my pants got wet. This was really shocking as we generally boast about the Metro in the city.
— Manan Arora, Engineering graduate
I travel to Noida Sector 16 and Sector 18 often. There was a time when despite so much footfall, the stations remained clean and well maintained. That is not the case anymore.
— Rohit, Student
Metro stations need to be spruced up. The ones that have been operational for years now look shabby and neglected. About time the authorities painted the walls and addressed seepage in the rainy season.
— Shubhanshi, Student
When I travel on Magenta or Pink Lines, I can see the difference in the upkeep. Noida stations are especially neglected and dirty. I agree thousands of people travel on the metro. Hence it becomes the dual responsibility of both rail corporation and commuters to keep premises clean.
— Harshita, Professional
No doubt the Metro is an extremely comfortable mode of public transport around the Capital. But the poor upkeep is an eyesore, especially during the monsoons when there are dripping roofs and overflowing water in the stations.
— Bhavna Lakhera, Professional
EXPERT SPEAK
We regularly plaster and paint the walls, and the floors of stations and platforms are cleaned all through the day. We put in our best to provide the best services but those using the facility should also act responsibly and not litter. We expect only this much cooperation from them. There are round-the-clock housekeeping and technical staff to maintain the stations. While the tasks have been outsourced, we monitors the upkeep.
— A DMRC official
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