The Delhi Metro services will remain completely closed till 31 March, 2020, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) declared.
However, the metro services will operated for essential internal operational maintenance activities during this duration and security of the system will continue to be taken care of by CISF, DMRC said in a statement.
Noida-Greater Noida metro, city bus services will also be suspended till March 31 with immediate effect, declared NMRC.
Earlier, on account of nation-wide ‘Janta Curfew’ that was observed on Sunday from 7 am to 9 pm after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal, the Delhi Metro had decided to keep its services closed on 22 March 2020. “In the wake of ‘Janata Curfew’ to be observed this Sunday i.e, on 22nd March 2020, DMRC has decided to keep its services closed. The move is aimed at encouraging public to stay indoors and maintain social distancing, which is essential in the fight against Covid-19,” DMRC said in a tweet. In a statement, DMRC also said, “Random thermal scanning of passengers will be carried out at all metro stations.”
Moreover, the Cabinet Secretary on Sunday reviewed Covid-19 status with Chief Secretaries of states and a slew of decisions were taken, which included lockdown in 75 districts across the country affected by corona virus. These districts have either reported confirmed cases or casualties relating to Covid-19. Only essential services will be allowed in these 75 districts.
It also decided that all trains will be stopped till 31 March, no metro rail and inter-state buses will operate till month-end.
Also, the decision to stop inter-state public transport was taken because the government noted a trend of people, especially migrant labourers working in big cities, scrambling to take trains to go back to their villages in states in the East and other parts of the country.
Earlier in the day, the Railways announced suspension of all trains from March 22 till March 31. Only goods trains will be allowed to ply during this period.
Meanwhile, the West Bengal government put Kolkata under lock down till March 31 to control COVID-19. The Punjab government also announced its decision to enforce lock down in the entire state till March 31.
