From thermal screening to no token: Delhi metro to assume new look before resumption of service from September 7

As part of the Unlock 4.0 guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Delhi Metro will resume its services from September 7, 2020, in a phased manner. On Sunday, Delhi transport minister Kailash Gahlot talked about the steps Delhi Metro will take to ensure the safety of passengers amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gahlot said that the thermal screening of all the passengers will be done at the point of entry. Further, no tokens or smart cards will be issued at metro stations.

He also said that metro will ensure that social distancing is maintained between the passengers.

Anuj Dayal, Executive Director of Corporate Communications DMRC on Saturday said that the detailed SOP will be shared on the working of the Delhi Metro once it is issued by Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

The Delhi Metro was shut down after Prime Minister Narendra Modi called a lockdown in March. 

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal confirmed the date of opening of Delhi Metro through a tweet on Saturday evening. “I am glad that metro has been permitted to start its operations from 7 Sep in a phased manner,” the CM tweeted.

"As per the latest guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs under Unlock-4, the Delhi Metro will be resuming its services for public from September 7 onwards in a calibrated manner," the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said in a statement.

The DMRC had last week said it is prepared to resume operations whenever the government gives it permission to do so.