Perception that Metro is crowded is not true: DMRC director

As Metro becomes the preferred choice of travel for NCR residents, DMRC director (operations) Sharat Sharma, talks about the problem of overcrowding.

As Metro becomes the preferred choice of travel for NCR residents, DMRC director (operations) Sharat Sharma, talks about the problem of overcrowding. Excerpts:

New Delhi, India - Oct. 5, 2015: Director of Operations in DMRC, Sharat Sharma at the control room. The control Room for the metro stations in action in the background at the Metro Bhawan in Connaught Place in New Delhi, India, on Monday, October 5, 2015. (Photo by Saumya Khandelwal/ Hindustan Times) (Hindustan Times)

Almost all the lines of the Delhi Metro are crowded. What is DMRC doing to ensure passengers do not face any difficulty?

It is a perception that the Metro is crowded. The overall occupancy of Metro is 31%. During peak hour, it looks crowded but it is not always the case... In Delhi Metro, we follow a standard of six persons per sq m, which is better than other Metros in the world. Delhi Metro makes 2,800 trips and has 99.80% on time performance.

But the ridership has increased in the past few years. How is DMRC planning to tackle the situation?

For the convenience of passengers, we are in the process of procuring 421 coaches and once these coaches are pressed into service, the complaints of crowd will be reduced.

What are the other measures being taken for decongestion?

We hope that phase III will ease the burden on other lines. At many stations, we are changing the pattern of entry and exit for smooth flow of passengers. For example, we have opened viewer’s gallery at Rajiv Chowk, installed more automated fare collection gates. Similarly at HUDA City Centre we have separated the entry and exit.