Highest-ever number of Metro trains to run during odd-even trial
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has also decided to make their bit of contributions for the 15-day of the odd-even rule. The DMRC will be making additional 365 trips. Over 198 trains will be used to make these additional trips.
The Delhi Metro will press maximum ever number of trains —198 —into service to make an additional 365 trips to ensure that the rush during the 15-day odd-even restrictions is handled smoothly.
On a regular day, a total of about 100 trains remain in service out of the total 220 trains. So far, the maximum number of trains to handle special rush days that have been used is 195.
“Delhi Metro will be pressing into service the maximum number of trains possible operationally during this period keeping only the essential maintenance reserve,” the DMRC spokesperson said.
To manage the rush, additional guards, customer facilitation agents and other staff will also be deployed at metro stations. Additional manpower will be used to handle the anticipated rush.
Currently the Metro makes 2,827 trips and but the odd-even rule the trains will make 3,192 trips.The feeder buses will also make additional trips around the colonies that are not connected by other modes of transport.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will deploy an additional 500 personnel to ensure security is not compromised due to the rush. Currently, the force has deployed over 4,500 personnel for the Metro services in the Capital and in areas including Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon and Faridabad.
“The number of CISF staff will be increased at all the important and vital stations from the view of passenger traffic. The reserves have been called out,” a CISF official said.
He added that leaves of the existing strength of the force deployed for metro security would also be strictly regulated and concessions will only be allowed in exceptional cases.
“We are doing everything we can to help the government implement the rule with ease,” the DMRC spokesperson added.
Shuttle service
The Delhi government will enhance the fleet strength of the buses that ply between Delhi and Noida/Gurgaon to facilitate those coming from the neighbouring towns between January1-15, days when the odd-even rules will be implemented.
“We are looking at routes and rationalizing them. We are also looking at parking areas where these shuttle services can start from. The process of recognising areas (from where maximum number of people travel to Delhi) so that services can be made available there. We are in touch with housing societies to make a comprehensive plan,” said Delhi transport minister Gopal Rai.
The idea is that a person can use their car to get to the point from where the shuttle will be available, park there and take the bus. While coming back, they can pick up their car from the same parking spot and take it back home.
The government has registered 2,700 private buses so far and is hoping that the number will reach 3,000 in the coming two days.
The hired private buses will have DTC drivers and conductors.
“Old drivers will get new conductors and new drivers will be accompanied by old conductors so there is no confusion regarding routes. The buses will charge the same fares as DTC buses and will be marked with a sticker that says ‘Prayavaran Bus Seva,” Rai said.