Kochi (Metro Rail News): Kochi Metro Rail Limited is gearing up for the resumption of metro services as the Ministry of Home Affairs is yet to take a decision on the matter. “The KMRL is taking strict measures with regard to the sanitisation, social distancing for passengers and for cashless transactions once the metro resumes operations”, a statement said.
Kochi Metro is awaiting permission from the central government to restart the operations. Kochi Metro will encourage passengers to use Kochi1 card rather than cash transactions. Necessary preventive measures have been taken to adopt contactless ticketing and its digital payment at all stations.
“Kochi Metro has decided to set up cash boxes and contactless ticket machines at each station in an attempt to prevent the spread of COVID 19. The cash boxes will help in checking the spread of virus if any through the currency notes. If a non Kochi1 card user is entering the station he/she needs to purchase a ticket to travel. The new system will ensure that a commuter will not touch anything except the ticket”, the Managing Director of KMRL Mr. Alkesh Kumar Sharma said.
The metro officials at the ticket counter and passenger information counter will communicate to the passengers through the mic and speaker only. All the staff dealing with cash will wear hand gloves.
“The metro officials will encourage passengers to use hand sanitizer at entry points of stations. Foot pedal operated hand sanitisers will be kept at all entry points of stations. Social distancing of passengers at stations will be monitored by respective station controllers through CCTV. Security controllers available at the security control room will also monitor social distancing through CCTV”, the statement said.
“All passengers will be screened for body temperature through an infrared thermometer by Security staff. In addition, thermal cameras will be placed at stations having high footfall. All public contact points like AFC gates, ticket counters, handrails of staircase, escalators, lift buttons, platform chairs will be cleaned with disinfectant every 4 hours”, said Mr. Sharma.
