Delhi-NCR takes to Metro to beat odd-even

The implementation of the odd-even restriction scheme, however, has led to a decent growth in ridership on all six lines of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). On an average, DMRC added 1.5 lakh passengers every day.

Delhi Metro tends to see a fall in ridership during December-January every year.

People throng Rajiv Chowk Metro Station in large numbers on the fifth day of the odd-even vehicular restriction trial in New Delhi. (Sonu Mehta/ Hindustan Times)

The implementation of the odd-even restriction scheme, however, has led to a decent growth in ridership on all six lines of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). On an average, DMRC added 1.5 lakh passengers every day.

For instance, December 28, 2015 (a Monday), the ridership of Delhi Metro was 27.45 lakh. On the very next Monday, January 4, when the odd-even restrictions were in place, the ridership rose to 28.19 lakh. According to DMRC officials, NCR towns have played a crucial role in adding to the passenger surge.

“Out of 22 NCR stations, 19 have registered growth. Only Vaishali, Kaushambi and Noida sector 15 has seen a reduction in number of commuters. Other stations have witnessed a decent growth. We believe the commuters from NCR have shifted to taking the Metro,” said a DMRC official.

Apart from the Metro, DTC and app-based cab services too registered an increase in the number of passengers. DMRC has been running trains at a higher frequency to clear crowd during rush hours.

On the Gurgaon line, during peak hours trains are running at a frequency of 2 minutes 18 seconds, while on the Dwarka line, the frequency was 2 minutes 30 seconds.

“For these 15 odd-even days, DMRC has planned to run 3,192 ?? trips to handle the passenger rush and will ply 198 trains daily to make these trips. Delhi Metro is pressing into service the maximum number of trains operationally possible during this period, keeping only the essential maintenance in reserve,” said a DMRC spokesperson.

DMRC officials said that lines and stations are being monitored by its control room and necessary action is being taken to ensure that crowd does not build up at booking points, ticket vending machines and security frisking points, especially during the peak hours.

“Manpower at the DMRC helpline number 15,53,70 has also been increased to attend to the increased number of calls. Additional manpower has been deployed to handle the increased load on the ticketing system in view of the odd-even rush. DMRC has also deployed additional shifts of guards/customer facilitation agents (CFA) at major metro stations to help and guide commuters,” the spokesperson added.