CMRL to resume services from September 7

The metro rail services were suspended in March following the nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of the COVID-19. While the flight, train and bus services were allowed to operate in the phased manner, the metro services remained suspended considering it is fully air-conditioned and less ventilation providing the potential for the spread of coronavirus.

A senior official of the CMRL said that the train services would be operated as per the standard operating procedure issued by the state government. “There will be a lot of restrictions on the services, including frequency and number of passengers travelling at a time,” the official said.

Sources said that as per its operational plan, only three passengers will be allowed to sit in a seven-seater and one passenger in other seats and only four people will be allowed to use the escalator at once and people will be guided to the trains by crowd control staff. “All the passengers will be screened through thermal guns and hand sanitizers will be provided. Only passengers with masks will be permitted inside the station,” sources added.

The official said that all the trains and facilities in the stations were being maintained all through the lockdown by its staff to ensure its maintenance. “If these trains aren’t maintained, it won’t be possible to run them and several issues may emerge,” said the official.