NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): Although the coronavirus infections continue to rise in the country, the centre is in no mood to rethink on its decisions and set to go for further easing the things through Unlock 4.0. The decision for the resumption of Metro services in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata and another part of the country may come anytime soon. While Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal is in favour of resuming services in Delhi, Mamata Banerjee in Bengal has announced that she is ready for such a move if centre wishes to do so.
Amid speculations, the DMRC chief Mangu Singh recently visited Rajeev Chowk metro station to see and review the preparation. Same is happening in Bangalore, Nagpur, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Kochi and Lucknow.
The DMRC has said that it is ready to run metro services if the centre decides to do so. The UPMC also has started planning to resume metro services. The Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) too is preparing. Amid speculations, the Bangaluru Metro has also geared up for opening the network for commuters.
A piece of news came from Kochi in the morning that the metro authorities are preparing well for metro resumption. Sources in the Metro Corporations and Government say that it is very likely that the metro services get resume by September 1 although a final call will be taken by Ministry of Home affairs only which is expected by Friday.
The different state governments have started demanding resumption of Metros as people face difficulties in reaching their workplaces. It is being seen as a move to ease up travel through public transport system.
As the DMRC has reported a loss of 1500 crore rupees in these days, MMRDA has also reported an approximate loss of 130 – 150 crore rupees due to suspension of services. The Bangaluru Metro is also reported to be running sort of money.
The preparations within the different metro networks before the Home Ministry order makes it clear that there is something being cooked behind the curtain. It is expected that Metro services will start again from 1st September. The only wait for everyone is a final decision by the Ministry of Home affairs.
