After the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) allowed Delhi Metro to resume its services for the public September 7 onwards, Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot today outlined the steps for its functioning in a calibrated manner.?
Gahlot said that social distancing would be maintained and thermal screening would be done at the entry points, to ensure safety of passengers amid Covid-19.
No tokens will be issued and smart cards and digital modes of payment will be utilised. The metro stations will also provide hand sanitisers to commuters.
"As per the latest guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs under Unlock-4, the Delhi Metro will be resuming its services for public from September 7 onwards in a calibrated manner," the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said in a statement.
The government has further eased restrictions across the country even as cases and deaths surged across the country.
India has the world's fastest growing number of recorded cases, now at 3.5 million, and more than 62,000 pandemic deaths. It is currently the third worst hit country in the world behind the United States and Brazil.
But the government faces pressure to free up the economy as millions have lost jobs since nationwide restrictions were first imposed in March.
The Home Affairs Ministry said that gatherings of up to 100 people would be allowed with face masks and social distancing at cultural, entertainment, sports and political events from next month.
Metro train services will also be allowed to resume "in a graded manner" in major cities.
The coronavirus has badly hit mega cities such as Mumbai and New Delhi, but is now surging in smaller cities and rural areas.