The Weekend Leader - Thousands stuck as snag hits Delhi Metro

Thousands stuck as snag hits Delhi Metro

New Delhi

02-September-2014

Delhi Metro commuters faced a harrowing time Tuesday morning when a technical snag affected services on a line for over an hour causing trains to run slow and halt for several minutes at many stations resulting in overcrowding.

Taking note of such incidents happening on the Delhi Metro's Blue Line often, officials have been asked to conduct an audit to analyse the cause of such occurrences and help minimise them.

Operations on the Blue Line (Dwarka Sector 21 to Noida City Centre/Vaishali) were affected from 8.24 a.m. to 9.47 a.m., an official said.

"Metro services of Blue Line were affected today (Tuesday) for about an hour when a portion of the over head electricity (OHE) wire broke down between Janakpuri West and Uttam Nagar East station of the line going towards Dwarka," a Delhi Metro statement said.

The statement said services from Jankpuri West to Noida City Centre/Vaishali stations were provided by running trains on a short loop on this section.

"To carry the passengers from Janakpuri West to Dwarka, single line operation was also undertaken between Janakpuri West and Dwarka section... All other lines were unaffected from this incident and train services were running normal," it added.

Following the incident, Delhi Metro's managing director Mangu Singh asked officials to conduct an audit into the different types of electrical-related failures on the line so that the pattern of the failures could be analysed and technical methods can be sought to minimise the occurrence of such incidents.

According to the commuters, the trains were stopping at each station for close to 10 minutes and many passengers got off and took autorickshaws and taxis.

"I took the Metro from Mayur Vihar and reached Rajiv Chowk station after almost an hour which usually takes around 20 minutes to reach. I was getting late for work, so decided to take an auto," said Lalita Pillai, a 49-year-old professional.

Another commuter working in Noida told IANS that after a long wait at his station, he had to take a bus.

"After waiting at the Metro station for 20 minutes, I had no option but to take a bus till Dhaula Kuan and then board another bus to Noida. Overall, a journey that takes one hour took more than two hours," he said.

Close to seven lakh passengers travel by the Blue Line on an average daily. - IANS



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