Delhi Metro weekday ridership rises nearly 10 per cent
Increased passenger numbers coincide with Diwali travel and new pollution control measures in the capital.
Delhi Metro has seen a rise in weekday passenger boardings this week, with daily figures exceeding 78 lakh between November 2 and November 4, according to The Tribune. The three-day average of nearly 79.42 lakh is approximately 10 per cent higher than the average for the same days in October.
The increase follows the implementation of Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on November 2. Additionally, from November 1, petrol and diesel vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet BS-VI emission standards have been barred from entering the capital, with exceptions for electric and CNG vehicles.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) reported 80,54,969 boardings on Monday, November 2, 78,47,239 on Tuesday, and 79,22,530 on Wednesday. The Monday figure was 10.65 per cent above the October average for Mondays.
To manage the higher footfall, the DMRC has introduced 20 additional weekday train trips following the GRAP Stage II implementation. This brings the total number of extra weekday trips to 40, following 20 extra trips added on October 22 under GRAP Stage I.
The DMRC has also announced revised timings for Diwali on November 8. On that day, the last trains will depart from terminal stations at 10 pm instead of 11 pm. Morning services on the Pink, Magenta, and Grey lines will begin an hour earlier at 6 am.