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Metro wakes up to safety at stations after mishaps

DMRC to install screen doors and modify signalling system
Last Updated 30 January 2012, 20:37 IST

In order to make the metro stations safer, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation would soon install ‘platform screen door system’ on some of the busiest stations apart from modifying its signalling system.

Platform screen doors are already in place at all stations of the Airport Metro Express Line. The screen doors, either at full height or half height, form a barrier between the passengers and the train and the track. The platform doors open and close in synchronisation with the train doors, making it safer for passengers.

“Very soon screen doors would be installed at Rajiv Chowk and Kashmere Gate stations. These two stations witness the maximum footfall on the metro network and the screen doors would help in improving safety immensely,” a Metro official said.

Later, the system will be installed at other metro stations.

The installation of doors at platform level also protects the passengers from dirt, air turbulence and noise generated by the arrival and departure of trains.

The DMRC’s decision comes two day after a Metro guard at Rajiv Chowk station had a narrow escape when he fell on the track while trying to help a four-year-old boy whose foot had got stuck between the doors of the last coach of a four-coach train. The toddler was safely rescued by another guard, while the one who fell on the track received leg injuries.

Signalling software

Moreover, in order to avoid chaos and confusion at the stations, DMRC has also decided to modify its signalling and telecommunication (S&T) software system so that the passenger announcement system and the passenger information display system (PIDS) installed at the stations can automatically give advance information whether the next train will be a four coach or a six coach one.

At present the system only gives the name and timing of the train.

“This advance information will help the passengers to plan their positioning on the platform accordingly,” DMRC spokesperson Anuj Dayal said.

To begin with, PIDS will be placed within three months at the two busiest interchange stations—Rajiv Chowk and Kashmere Gate.

Manual announcement

Meanwhile, as an immediate measure, the DMRC on Monday began manual announcements at Rajiv Chowk and Kashmere Gate stations regarding the arrival of four coach or six coach trains.

“Security guards with loud hailers have been deployed on the platforms at these two stations at the spot where a six coach train ends. Whenever, a four coach train is scheduled to come, they would make announcements in advance requesting passengers to position themselves accordingly,” said Dayal .

These measures will greatly help and inform the passengers at these interchange stations which are the biggest in the DMRC network with average footfalls ranging from 2.5 lakh (Kashmere Gate) to 4.5 lakh (Rajiv Chowk) per day, the spokesperson added.

In addition, LCD TVs installed at some stations (Chandni Chowk, Chawri Bazar, New Delhi, Rajiv Chowk, Kashmere Gate, Patel Chowk and Central Secretariat) will also flash messages on door closing of trains very soon. Short films educating passengers on how to step in and out of the trains in a correct manner to avoid mishaps, will also be screened.

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(Published 30 January 2012, 20:37 IST)

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