Is it time to resume Metro services in Delhi? Opinion stands divided

It’s been over five months since Delhi Metro shut its operations following COVID-induced lockdown. It has since suffered a financial loss of over ₹1,000 crore. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DRC) has 300 trains which make almost 5,000 to-and-fro trips a day carrying around 1.8 million passengers.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has said he would recommend Metro’s resumption from next month. But is the DMRC ready and what is medical experts’ advice, given the fact that the capital city reported 1,544 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday (August 25) — a 40-day high?

While transport experts seem to support the Metro resumption, the medical fraternity appears divided.

“DMRC will take maximum precautions to safeguard the health of commuters once the service resumes. All protocols are in place and full care would be taken to sanitize trains and stations,” said Anuj Dayal, executive director (corporate communications), DMRC.

Sources said as a starter, only a limited section of commuters, mainly government or PSU employees, would be allowed. The general public could be allowed in non-peak hours. But all depends on the standard operating procedure recommended by the Central government, sources said.

On the other hand, epidemiologists warn against the resumption citing an increase in Delhi’s positivity rate and the recent serological survey that found 29 per cent of 15,000 people surveyed in the capital had antibodies for the Sars-Cov-2 that causes COVID-19.

“As per the second serological survey report, nearly 2/3 of the population is still unexposed. The positivity rate is already on the rise and if you create opportunities for people to mingle, then it will increase the chances of transmission of the infection,” said Dr Lalit Kant, a former head of epidemiology and communicable diseases department at Indian Council of Medical Research.

However, community medicine expert Dr Jugal Kishore of the Safdarjung Hospital says it is about time Metro services start, as people are facing a lot of inconveniences. “People are using their own vehicles, causing air and sound pollution. People who use Metro should follow all the precautions such as the use of face masks and social distancing.”

But the question is: how do you impose social distancing? “Currently, a lot of people from neighbouring areas are unable to come to Delhi as the Metro is closed. Starting it would only allow more movement of people and increase the chances of infection,” says Dr PK Sharma, an epidemiologist and former medical health officer, New Delhi Municipal Council.

A DMRC official said there would be completely cashless transactions at ticketing counters, earmarked spots for passengers to stand while waiting for trains or at ticketing counters. Face masks and Aarogya Setu contact tracing mobile application, separate entry and exit point to the station premises, are some of the other measures the agency may include to its protocols, the official said.

DMRC officials say in case of a limited run of the trains, more precautions will have to be put in place. These include: thermal scanners, reducing the number of entrance and exit gates, PPE kits in case a passenger is found to be symptomatic and has to be shifted.

Centre for Science and Environment executive director (research and advocacy) Anumita Roychowdhury, who is a transport expert, says Metro services are a must for the economic revival. “In Hong Kong Metro operations were never stopped. They have adopted a lot of precautionary measures to ensure social distancing.”