Flying squads to prevent spitting in Metro, defacing property

People who spit inside Metro system and deface its property can no longer get away easily with the DMRC constituting four flying squads to conduct surprise checks on almost-everyday basis and fine erring commuters.

New Delhi: People who spit inside Metro system and deface its property can no longer get away easily with the DMRC constituting four flying squads to conduct surprise checks on almost-everyday basis and fine erring commuters.

The four flying squads, which conduct surprise checks in Metro trains and stations, detected about 195 cases of spitting and 62 cases of defacement of Metro property during
March.

This is one of the number of measures the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation is taking to instill better civic sense among its commuters as part of its preparations for the October
Commonwealth Games.

"The DMRC recently constituted four flying squads to
conduct surprise checks almost on everyday basis on all routes
to catch and fine commuters who spit and deface Metro
property," DMRC Spokesman Anuj Dayal said.

He said station staff has been specifically directed to
keep a close eye on commuters indulging in spitting, littering
or defacing the Metro premises.

"Thousands of foreign visitors are expected to use the
Metro system during the Games scheduled in October later this
year, and the Delhi Metro wants to maintain world class civic
standards in its trains and stations to welcome them," he
said.

The station managers and controllers are authorised to
realise penalty from the offending commuters and they have
already been issued `Authorised For Penalty` identity cards.

Lack of proper civic sense among the commuters is a major
concern for the DMRC which has been taking a number of steps
to impart the same to them.

Besides spitting and defacing of property, pushing each
other, jumping on to the seats, not letting the passengers to
get out from the train and obstructing the closing of doors
are some of the problems encountered at crowded stations.

To deal with this, the DMRC has also roped in its
volunteers and has asked them to promptly report cases of
commuter misbehaviour to the Metro authorities.

The volunteers, DMRC officials feel, can educate people
about the consequences of over-crowding and on why people
should wait to board the trains patiently.

DMRC is asking the volunteers to tell passengers who sit
on seats reserved for ladies and the physically challenged to
vacate them for such people.

The Delhi Metro already has 400 volunteers under its
Metro Citizens Forum whose mandate is to keep their "eyes and
ears open" while in trains and station areas and inform
authorities concerned of any incident.

"Besides the helpline number of the Metro, the volunteers
have also been given the mobile numbers of many senior
officials so that they can directly contact them if needed,"
Dayal said.

The DMRC will continue with these measures on its system
from now on to ensure that cases of spitting or defacement of
the Metro are completely brought under control, Dayal said.

Over 10 lakh people use the Metro on any working day and
it is expected that the number would double by the time of the
Commonwealth Games in October.

PTI

Zee News App: Read latest news of India and world, bollywood news, business updates, cricket scores, etc. Download the Zee news app now to keep up with daily breaking news and live news event coverage.