Run alternate service on Blue Line, demand Metro commuters

When one enters the interchange Metro station during peak hours on the Blue Line – Yamuna Bank, s/he may think that the rush is caused due to a technical snag.

But soon he realises that the platforms which cater to people going towards Noida City Centre and Vaishali are overcrowded. And the platforms on the other side of the station, which see footfall towards Dwarka are not that crowded.

Reason, there is no alternate train service for Noida City Centre and Vaishali from Yamuna Bank.

The Blue Line – Dwarka to Noida City Centre/Vaishali – consists of 44 stations from Dwarka Sector 21 to Noida City Centre and a branch line consisting of eight stations from Yamuna Bank to Vaishali.

All trains that are run from Dwarka reach Yamuna Bank station, where people change trains to go to their desired destinations — Noida City Centre or Vaishali.

Commuters complain that the interchange station gets overcrowded as the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is not running alternate service for Noida City Centre and Vaishali from Dwarka.

Passengers say that during rush hours, on an average, for every two to three consecutive trains from Yamuna Bank to Vaishali, there's only one train to Noida City Centre.

Though, the DMRC has denied that alternate trains are not run on the Blue Line, the busiest stretch on the Metro network. “As per existing time table, alternate trains are running for Noida City Centre and Vaishali from Dwarka,” the corporation told Deccan Herald.

Though the DMRC said during peak hours the frequency between Dwarka to Yamuna Bank is two minutes and 40 seconds. “Due to alternate service, the frequency in each corridor (from Dwarka to Noida City Centre and Vaishali) remains five minutes and 20 seconds,” the corporation said.

Rishi Kumar, a resident of New Ashok Nagar, said after 10 pm, the frequency of trains heading to Noida City Centre further declines. “I take Metro after 10 pm. The frequency of train is reduced to 15 minutes. After two trains heading to Vaishali, one train comes for Noida City Centre. So daily I have wait for around an hour to board a train,” he added while taking Metro at Rajiv Chowk station.

The last train to Noida City Centre reaches Yamuna Bank station around midnight. “Passengers are left stranded for almost two hours. Why is not DMRC increasing frequency or at least run alternate service to Noida City Centre and Vaishali from Dwarka?” asked Kumar. The corporation said it has introduced eight-coach trains to tackle the rush.