After missing several deadlines, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Wednesday made operational the newly installed platform screen doors (PSDs) in two existing stations of Delhi Metro’s Yellow Line ~ Chawri Bazar and Chandni Chowk.
However, the initial plan of the corporation was to install the automated doors in six existing stations. But, the work on four other stations viz Rajiv Chowk, New Delhi, Kashmere Gate and Central Secretariat has not been completed yet.
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A metro official said that the remaining stations would get platform screen doors (PSD) shortly. “The installation and commissioning of PSDs at these four stations will be done in a phased manner after examining the performance at Chandni Chowk and Chawri Bazar stations,” he added. “This is the first time that Delhi Metro has installed PSDs in already existing operational metro stations,” the DMRC said.
The platform screen doors are a barrier between the platform and the tracks. PSDs will help in better crowd management at these busy stations and at the same time prevent any untoward incidents in the metro, like jumping or falling on the tracks.
The initial deadline to install automated gates at six existing metro stations on Yellow Line was 2016. But, the project missed multiple deadlines. Giving the reason behind it, the official said: “The installation and commissioning of these doors at already operational stations was a major challenge as the PSDs could be installed only during non-revenue hours depending on the availability of blocks during late night hours after the closing of passenger services.”
The Chawri Bazar and Chandni Chowk areas are located in crowded Old Delhi, and the two metro stations receive a huge footfall daily.
A statement issued by Delhi Metro said: “The software was required to be upgraded for coordinated movement of the doors. The movement of commuters was also regularized during the day where PSDs installation was in progress.”
At present, the Airport Express Line and all stations of newly-launched Botanical Garden-Kalkaji Mandir section (Magenta Line) and Majlis Park-Durgabai Deshmukh South Campus stretch (Pink Line) have platform screen doors.
