Noida: NMRC makes Aarogya Setu app compulsory for travellers

The Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) has made temperature screening and face masks and the Aarogya Setu mobile application compulsory for passengers, in a set

The Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) has made temperature screening and face masks and the Aarogya Setu mobile application compulsory for passengers, in a set of guidelines issued for metro travel. The NMRC, which runs the Aqua Line metro connected Noida and Greater Noida, said it is awaiting the government’s nod to resume its services.

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According to officials, commuters will have to wear face masks and they will be screened by thermal sensors before entry to the station. The limiting temperature will be 37.7 degrees Centigrade (about 99.86 Fahrenheit). The metro passengers also must have the “Aarogya Setu” app in their mobile phones. Without these prerequisites, no one would be allowed to travel, the guidelines say.

The NMRC on Saturday issued a detailed guideline on how the metro service will function after curbs are lifted – a national lockdown in place to control the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) disease. However, the Corporation did not announce the date for resuming metro services.

Ritu Maheshwari, managing director, NMRC, said initially for a few days, a 15-minute frequency of trains will be maintained. “Ridership trends will be analysed and any change due to demand will be made later,” she said.

Commuters entering NMRC premises will have to apply sanitisers on their hands, which will be made available after temperature screening. To ensure adequate social distance, passengers will be advised to stand in queues at designated spaces by visible markings one metre apart at frisking zones, platforms and inside the train.

All lifts will be closed, however, in case of request for senior citizens and physically challenged persons, they will be made available, with a maximum of three persons allowed in a lift at a time. NMRC officials said that digital payments will be preferred, instead of currency notes for tickets.

The stations falling in containment zones shall remain closed and trains will not stop at these stations. “In case of doubt regarding any person having coronavirus infection/symptoms, the suspected person will not be allowed entry in station premises. They will be given proper instructions for seeking medical help. To handle a passenger or baggage suspected of being infected with the Sars-Cov-2 virus, two personal protection equipment (PPE) suits at each station will be made available for concerned staff deployed at the station,” said another NMRC official, requesting anonymity.

Sandhya Sharma, deputy general manager, NMRC, said that prohibition on spitting will be strictly enforced in all metro trains and station premises. “In case of violations, a fine of Rs 500 fine will be imposed at first occurrence and Rs 1,000 for subsequent occurrence,” she added.