On Day 1 of Lucknow Metro’s commercial run, people found space to spit paan masala/gutkha and defaced a portion of a wall at Alambagh Metro station.
But Mahendra Kumar, director rolling stock, Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation (LMRC), said Lucknowites responded to the Metro positively. “Barring one or two incidents where passengers had to be told about the importance of cleanliness inside and outside metro stations, things went off well,” he added.
When Hindustan Times showed him pictures of the defaced wall in front of the Metro station, Kumar immediately ordered removal of the stains. He also asked officials to strengthen the closed-circuit television (CCTV)
network inside and outside metro stations so that no one is able to deface Metro property.
He said, “Lucknowites have tried to adapt to Metro in a better way — how to board the train, how to use escalators and how to use the lift. I saw people cooperating with authorities. One or two people were told to take gutkha packets out of their pockets. They followed instructions and were allowed to board the train.”
“Efforts are on to ensure and retain world-class cleanliness standards at Metro stations and surroundings. The LMRC has decided to improve cleaning of stations as part of its mission to provide a clean and efficient mass transit system for citizens,” he emphasised.
“LMRC is training its staff to ensure sanitisation of stations. But if passengers misbehave or try to deface/spread filth despite our warning, then we have our security to deal with them. Besides, there is a provision of penalties for such passengers,” he added.
{{/usCountry}}“LMRC is training its staff to ensure sanitisation of stations. But if passengers misbehave or try to deface/spread filth despite our warning, then we have our security to deal with them. Besides, there is a provision of penalties for such passengers,” he added.
{{/usCountry}}There will be mechanised cleaning at stations. Electrically operated scrubber drier and back pack vacuum cleaners among others have been provided for dust-free sweeping and cleaning operations.
The Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation also plans to create awareness among people to keep the Metro clean.