Delhi: Snags, delays are here to stay

New Delhi: Despite being praised for its commendable services for the last 15 years, a series of technical snags and some incidents in the recent past has raised serious questions over the functioning of the Delhi Metro Railway Corporation (DMRC).  

Glitches in the Metro service have become a routine affair now with around 15 major technical glitches having hit the Delhi Metro in the last three years. In 2016, eight incidents of major technical failures occurred, whereas in 2015 five major technical snags were reported in the Delhi Metro network.

The Yellow Line service was the worst affected. It was hit by major technical glitches five times followed by Blue Line, which reported four such incidents. The Red Line and Violet Line each reported two such incidents for the same period.

Meanwhile, the DMRC said that regular analysis is being carried out for each and every failure whenever it happens. Based on the analytical reports, corrective measures are taken to minimise recurrence of the problem. DMRC officials said that the problem was with the overhead equipment system.

“We are trying to rectify the problem at the earliest,” said a DMRC official on the condition of anonymity.

The DMRC is yet to find a permanent solution to this problem, which has become quite persisting in nature. Incidentally, the Violet Line, which connects ITO with Escorts Mujesar, faced a series of technical glitches causing delays on other lines as well in January this year alone.

A number of Metro stations lack better passenger amenities when it comes to toilets, cleanliness, default escalators, and lift services. Also, there are complaints that the ongoing construction of new Metro lines are being mismanaged, causing traffic congestion and has become an eyesore when it comes to the piles of unfenced construction materials lying on the roads. Earlier, (at least five years ago) the national capital had witnessed quite efficient officials manning the whole operation.