Delhi smog: Puri asks DMRC to increase frequency of trains to promote use of public transport 

With Delhi enveloped in a thick blanket of haze, housing and urban affairs minister Hardeep Singh Puri has directed Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to increase the frequency of trains, deploy additional personnel for faster frisking and stressed on the need to encourage people to use public transport.

In view of the spike in pollution levels in the Capital, Delhi Metro has decided to increase the number of train trips across the Delhi Metro network from Thursday. DMRC will make 186 additional train trips from the existing 3131 to 3317 from tomorrow. This includes 22 extra trips on the yellow line, 20 on the blue line, 108 on the green line and 36 additional trips on the violet line, DMRC spokesperson said.

DMRC has also been directed to ensure deployment of additional ticketing operators and customer facilitation agents to help passengers. This has been done in view of recent pollution situation in Delhi and to ensure implementation of Supreme Court-mandated Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority (EPCA) advice, ministry sources said.

Puri also suggested measures such as deploying additional CISF personnel for the purpose for speedy frisking, monitoring of stations /lines/network from the control rooms and setting up a team of officers to monitor major stations for smooth traffic movement, they said.

DMRC with effect from May this year has implemented a differential fare system to encourage off-peak travel.  Additional 10 percent discount is given to the passengers using smart cards who enter the DMRC system during off-peak hours and a 20 percent discount on passengers using smart cards during off-peak hours.

Last week, the Centre had informed the Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal that the Metro Act does not allow it to put on hold the proposed hike in Delhi Metro fares. However, setting up a fresh Fare Fixation Committee (FFC) could be considered if the Delhi government agrees to give over Rs 3,000 crore every year to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).