Unlock 4.0: Metro Services Allowed to Resume from September 7 in Phased Manner

Metro rail can operate from September 7 in a graded manner, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced in Unlock 4.0 guidelines issued on Saturday.

“Metro rail will be allowed to operate with effect from September 7 in a graded manner, by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MOHUA)/Ministry of Railways (MOR), in consultation with MHA. In this regard, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will be issued by MOHUA,” said the guidelines.

All metro operations across India have remained shut since the initial lockdown was imposed in the last week of March to curb the spread of coronavirus. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) last week said it will be prepared to resume operations whenever directed by the government.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed his happiness at the decision. “I am glad that metro has been permitted to start its operations from September 7 in a phased manner,” he said in a tweet.

The DMRC said the Delhi Metro would reopen from September 7. “As per the latest guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs under Unlock-4, the Delhi Metro will be resuming its services for public from September 7 onwards in a calibrated manner,” it said in a statement.

Further details on the metro functioning and its usage by the general public will be shared once the detailed SOP on metro is issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in the next few days, the officials said.

The new guidelines are based on feedback received from states and Union Territories, and extensive consultations held with related central ministries and departments.

However, schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutions will continue to remain closed for students and regular class activity upto September 30.

The Centre has also permitted social, academic, sports, entertainment, cultural, religious, political functions and other congregations with a ceiling of 100 persons, with effect from September 21. However, such limited gatherings can be held with mandatory directives like wearing of face masks, social distancing, provision for thermal scanning and hand washing or use of sanitiser. Open air theatres will also be permitted from September 21.