After a break of seven months due to the coronavirus outbreak, Mumbai Metro is all set to resume operations from October 19, Monday. The only operational Metro line connecting Versova and Ghatkopar provides east-west travel. Officials say that all the groundwork has been completed and they are once again ready to welcome the commuters.
Keeping all sanitation protocols in mind, we’re ready to welcome back Mumbaikars from tomorrow with a safe, secure and hygienic manner. Here's a sneak peek of what your new metro journeys will look like. #YourMetroSafeMetro #MetroSeChalonaMumbai pic.twitter.com/zkxPVjutTZ
— Mumbai Metro (@MumMetro) October 18, 2020
However, various changes have been put in place in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection and in accordance with the government's Unlock 5.0 guidelines.
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
- The Mumbai Metro's operating hours will between 8:30 am and 8.30 pm.
- There will be a headway of 6:30 minutes during peak hours and 8 mins during other hours
- The Mumbai Metro will make over 200 trip in a day
- Only 300 commuters will be allowed per trip
- The temperature inside the coaches will be maintained between 25 and 27 degree Celsius
- The metro station gates will open 15 minutes before operations start
- Entry and exit will only be allowed from select gates for now
- List of operational gates:
Metrokars, here's the list of operational entry gates for you to save and share with friends & family. See you tomorrow, Mumbai. #YourMetroSafeMetro #MetroSeChaloNaMumbai pic.twitter.com/bmzBBuSGmT
— Mumbai Metro (@MumMetro) October 18, 2020
- Only Asymptomatic commuters will be allowed aboard the Mumbai Metro.
- Wearing masks and maintaining social distancing is a must.
Metro officials say that many passengers had raised concerns whether travelling in an enclosed space with intense AC will be safe or not. To that effect, it was decided that for the fresh air intake, AC dampers would be opened and metro doors will be kept open for around a minute at all stations. At the terminal stations, the halt would be for around three minutes. Additionally, the entire train would be sanitized after every round trip and deep sanitization would be carried out during non-revenue hours.
Health desks
- The metro stations will also have health desks.
- Body temperature check will be mandatory for everyone along with a face mask.
- There will be provision for hand-sanitisers. However, commuters have been asked to carry their own sanitiser
TICKETING
- Plastic tokens have been discontinued.
- However, paper QR tickers will be available
- Metro cards will be accepted.
- Mobile tickets will be available as well. Payment for these will be done through pay wallets.
Alternate seating arrangements have been made inside the metro and floor stickers also placed for standing commuters. Awareness messages have been displayed as well.
Abhay Kumar Mishra, CEO MMOPL, said that while the administration was sure that they would be successful in their operations yet they expect that the commuters should abide by the rules laid down by the government.