Magenta line mishap: No need to panic, says Delhi Metro, Christmas inauguration on track

Delhi Metro said the inauguration of the Magenta Line was on course and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the section. UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath is also expected to be present.

Six days before the first section of Delhi Metro’s new Magenta Line with new trains and a signalling system was to open, a freak accident has raised safety concerns of the mass transit network.

The depot where the accident happened is part of this section and is the first elevated depot on the Delhi network. (HT Photo)

Metro users took to social media even as Delhi Metro urged people not to panic. Commuters questioned the safety of “driverless” technology as the train that met with the accident was to be a part of the first “unattended train operation.” But the Metro clarified the train was being operated by a driver.

“Although these trains can run driverless, we plan to operate them through drivers for at least 2-3 years for successful transition,” said a metro official.

“I would prefer boarding a ‘bus’ instead of ‘driverless Metro,” tweeted Kajol. “It’s a driverless metro or brain less metro! Machines can’t replace humans! “Kalindi Kunj,” wrote Akhil.

Metro said the inauguration of the Magenta Line was on course and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the section. UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath is also expected to be present.

The depot where the accident happened is part of this section and is the first elevated depot on the Delhi network.

Metro chief Mangu Singh, in a statement after the accident, said, “Operations on this line are absolutely safe, with a high level of automation and has been thoroughly checked and cleared by the commissioner of metro rail safety for passenger operations”.

Delhi Metro released a video message, asking the passengers not to panic.

“The line has full clearance from the commissioner of metro rail security and there is no need for the public to panic at all. This has nothing to do with signalling system we have.The operation inside the depot was completely manual. When the trains will run on the main line, they run on a completely automated mode and the signalling system ensures such incidents are not possible,” Anuj Dayal. DMRC’s spokesperson, said.

“Today’s incident was a manual error during maintenance and has nothing to do with the trials or passenger safety during future operations,” Singh added.