New Delhi, March 21 The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said in a statement on Saturday that there will be no metro service between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. onwards on Monday in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
The Delhi Metro said in a statement, "There will be no metro service during this period (between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.). However, all the trains which started at 10 a.m. from originating stations of all lines will continue to run till they reach their destinations.
"There will be no service on any line from 8 p.m. onwards. However, the last train service starting at 8 p.m. from the originating station will continue to run till it reaches its destination."
According to a high-level Delhi Metro official, the objective of this staggered metro plan on Monday is aimed at facilitating all stakeholders with effectiveness and to promote 'social distancing' which is required to contain the spread of coronavirus. All parking at Metro sations will remain closed on Monday.
Metro services will start at 6 a.m. across originating stations of all lines on Monday and will be available at a frequency of 20 minutes till 8 a.m.
During this period, only people involved in essential services such as hospitals, fire, electricity, police etc. will be allowed to enter Delhi Metro stations after producing their identification cards to the security personnel.
"DMRC's priority is to ensure that the people involved in providing essential services, as notified by the government, reach their destinations with ease while maintaining norms of social distancing in the metro premises," the statement said.
From 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., trains will be available at normal frequency. Again from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Metro services will continue at normal frequency for the general public. There will be no services from 8 p.m. onwards.
"DMRC appeals to the general public not to panic and stay at home and use the Metro only when it is really essential and unavoidable," the DMRC statement said.
According to a metro official, in the prevalent scenario where the authorities have shut malls, restaurants, major markets etc. to prevent the spread of the virus, "it is the responsibility of our passengers also to co-operate with DMRC and help fight coronavirus collectively".
( With inputs from IANS )