Delhi Metro, offices, bus services operate with 50% capacity amid Covid surge
Offices, metro and bus services in Delhi operated with 50% capacity on Monday following the restrictions imposed by the AAP dispensation in view of the surge in COVID-19 cases in the national capital.
The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) had on Saturday night ordered the prohibition of all types of gatherings, a reduced number of people at weddings and funerals, running of public transport at half of their seating capacity and a scaled down presence in government offices.
On the first working day after the restrictions were imposed, the crowds in buses and metro were restricted, which led to crowding at bus stands and metro stations.
Transport officials said people themselves are taking precautions, yet they are fully implementing the COVID-19 restrictions of allowing only half the number of passengers than the seating capacity in buses.
“Reports of a few passengers in many buses have been received, although some people have to wait at the bus shelters due to the restriction on the seating capacity. Buses are running with a few passengers or vacant, barring some routes,” a Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) official said.
“The frontliners, including the drivers and the conductors, have been sensitised to strictly follow the seating capacity norm. The higher-ups, including depot and regional managers, are monitoring the implementation of the restriction on the seating capacity. Teams are also there to enforce the restriction in the field,” he added.
About people being forced to wait at some places due to the seating restriction, the officer said it was a demand-and-supply problem, which was natural to occur as less people are allowed in the buses to maintain social distancing.
