Bad air fight: Now standing commuters in Delhi Metro, buses

NEW DELHI: Delhi Disaster Management Authority on Saturday permitted standing passengers in Delhi Metro and public transport buses to minimise the use of private vehicles. The move is aimed at reducing air pollution by checking the number of vehicles on the streets. Transport minister Kailash Gahlot requested the people of Delhi to switch to public transport and help reduce air pollution.
Transportation by Delhi Metro and buses was already allowed with 100% seating capacity. Now, according to the DDMA order, transportation by Delhi Metro is allowed with 100% seating capacity of the coach along with up to 30 standing passengers in a coach. Movement of intra-state DTC, as well as cluster buses, is allowed with 100% seating capacity of the buses along with standing passengers up to 50% of the seating capacity of the bus. In the case of buses, boarding will be allowed only from the rear door while deboarding will be allowed only from the front door.
“On the request of Delhi government, DDMA has revised its order regarding standing passengers. Now, 50% of the actual seating capacity in buses and up to 30 people in each Metro coach can travel as standing passengers. I request Delhiites to shift to public transport and help reduce pollution in Delhi,” Gahlot stated on Twitter.

In an order, DDMA stated that in view of the prevailing air pollution situation in the capital, it was felt necessary to augment the carrying capacity of the public transport system to minimise the use of private vehicles, in order to improve the ambient air quality of the city.
DDMA made it clear that the transport department, Delhi Transport Corporation, and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation will be responsible for strict compliance of Covid-appropriate behavior like social distancing, wearing of masks, use of hand sanitizers, etc.