Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
India

Odd-even: Delhi Metro's Hopes Ride On Increased Trips

Darpan News Desk IANS, 31 Dec, 2015 12:08 PM
    With no clear idea on the increase in the number of commuters availing of its services during the implementation of the odd-even scheme, the Delhi Metro hopes its 70 additional trips daily for a fortnight from January 1 will suffice.
     
    "The trips will be increased during non-peak hours whereas the frequency is anyways two minutes during peak rush hours," a Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) source said on Thursday.
     
    Though rough estimates say the Delhi Metro trains will ferry an additional 4-5 lakh commuters every day during the implementation of the odd-even scheme in the national capital, officials IANS spoke to had no clear idea on how many extra commuters will use the system on days they are not allowed to use their cars.
     
    "We cannot put a number to it," said the official. 
     
    The Metro rail will not be able to add additional coaches on existing trains as new ones are scheduled to be delivered only by December 2016.
     
    "We will try our best with the facilities we have in hand. Usually, there is a slump in ridership between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.; we will increase the frequency of service during that time slot," the official said.
     
    The Delhi government's 15-day odd-even scheme will be enforced from Friday in a bid to control pollution in the national capital.
     
    Odd-numbered cars will be allowed to ply on odd dates and even-numbered cars on even dates, barring Sundays when all cars will be allowed.
     
    Compressed Natural Gas-run cars with special stickers, public buses, CNG auto-rickshaws, two-wheelers, women drivers and VIP vehicles, among others, are exempted.
     
     
    A Delhi Metro Rail Corporation statement said: "From January 1 to January 15, the DMRC will run a total of 3,192 trips against 2,827 trips during the similar period in January 2015. The DMRC will run 198 trains daily to achieve the targetted trips." 
     
    However, compared with the number of trips the Delhi Metro makes as of December 31, only 70 more trips will be possible to deal with the anticipated rush. 
     
    "The Delhi Metro will press into service the maximum trains operationally possible during this period, keeping only essential reserve for maintenance purposes," DMRC executive director for corporate communications Anuj Dayal said.
     
    "We will deploy additional guards/customer facilitation agents at major metro stations to help and guide commuters. Additional manpower will be deployed to handle the increased load on the ticketing system.
     
    "Lines and stations will be monitored through the control room. We will ensure no overcrowding at ticketing points and security checkpoints etc. Manpower will be augmented at DMRC helpline number 155370 to attend to the increased calls," he added.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Chant 'Allah' If Not 'Om': Minister Tells Muslim Leaders

    Chant 'Allah' If Not 'Om': Minister Tells Muslim Leaders
    Ayush Minister Shripad Yesso Naik on Thursday appealed to the Muslim community to participate in the International Yoga Day in a big way and said people who do not want to chant 'Om' can say 'Allah'.

    Chant 'Allah' If Not 'Om': Minister Tells Muslim Leaders

    Debt-Ridden Punjab Farmer, Who Met Rahul Gandhi, Commits Suicide

    Debt-Ridden Punjab Farmer, Who Met Rahul Gandhi, Commits Suicide
    Surjit Singh, 60, of Dadumajra village near Chunni Kalan in Fategarh Sahib had a debt of Rs.13.50 lakh.

    Debt-Ridden Punjab Farmer, Who Met Rahul Gandhi, Commits Suicide

    'India's Surgical Strike On Myanmar Border Message To Pakistani Terrorists'

    'India's Surgical Strike On Myanmar Border Message To Pakistani Terrorists'
    Questions were raised if India would pursue a similar policy along its Western border with Pakistan, inviting a sharp reaction from the other side.

    'India's Surgical Strike On Myanmar Border Message To Pakistani Terrorists'

    Aspiring Country Singer Derek Kehler From Canada Dies In Australia

    Aspiring Country Singer Derek Kehler From Canada Dies In Australia
    The Daily Telegraph in Sydney says Derek Kehler died on Monday along with his companion, Helena Curic of Australia, while they were camping in a makeshift cabin in the Blue Mountains northwest of Sydney.

    Aspiring Country Singer Derek Kehler From Canada Dies In Australia

    Rising Porn Addiction In Indian Youth Worrying: Experts

    Rising Porn Addiction In Indian Youth Worrying: Experts
    While young adults across several Western countries are feeling the ill-effects of excessive online porn, the sudden spurt in online access has also put Indian teenagers at such risk, warn behavioural experts.

    Rising Porn Addiction In Indian Youth Worrying: Experts

    Senators Invoke Duffy Trial As They Push Back Against Auditor General's Report

    Senators Invoke Duffy Trial As They Push Back Against Auditor General's Report
    OTTAWA — For some senators, the Auditor General's scrutiny of their expenses sent them hurtling right into the Mike Duffy dimension.

    Senators Invoke Duffy Trial As They Push Back Against Auditor General's Report