New Delhi: In a first, the Delhi Metro, starting Thursday, will provide on social media real-time average waiting duration at a few busy stations during morning and evening peak hours, officials said.
The information will be provided in case the waiting time goes beyond 20 minutes, they said.
This initiative is aimed at helping commuters plan their journey effectively so as to avoid long queues at entry or exit, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said.
"In a first, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation will provide real-time average waiting time at selected busy stations during morning and evening peak hours, in case the waiting time goes beyond 20 minutes," the DMRC said in a statement.
Starting November 12, the official social media pages, handles of the DMRC will post updates on the average waiting time at ten stations during peak hours in the morning (8:30 AM to 10:30 AM) and evening (5:30 PM to 7:30 PM), it said.
The stations covered under this initiative are -- Chandni Chowk, Chawri Bazaar, Patel Chowk, Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, Huda City Centre, Lal Quila, Barakhambha Road, JLN Stadium and Saket, the DMRC said.
The operations staff deployed at these stations will continuously monitor the crowd at these stations during peak hours and assess the waiting time.
The same will further be informed to commuters if it goes beyond 20 minutes, through official social media handles and pages of DMRC. In case of any fluctuations in traffic or crowd, the waiting time will be modified accordingly and will be also informed subsequently, it said.
The selection of these stations and the timings for providing updates has been done on the basis of traffic observed during peak hours.
"This is being started on an experimental basis and will be considered for implementation on more stations, if required, on the basis of the feedback received from the commuters," it said.
Presently, commuters are being permitted into metro stations only after adhering to prescribed COVID-19 safety norms. The number of passengers in the trains has also been restricted to ensure social distancing.
The DMRC has also advised commuters to keep at least 15-20 minutes extra time for their travel due to the new travel protocols in place which were implemented when the metro services resumed from September 7 onwards.
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Amritsar (PTI): Former president Ram Nath Kovind on Friday said that with digital transformation, economic reforms and a strong focus on the ease of doing business, India is moving towards becoming a global economic powerhouse.
He was speaking after inaugurating the 19th edition of the Punjab International Trade Expo (PITEX) in Amritsar.
The former president said that this 19th edition of PITEX is being organised at a time when India is recognised as one of the fastest-growing large economies in the world.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the event organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) the former president, while referring to Punjab, said the state is a living example of courage, sacrifice and enterprise.
"The spiritual light of Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) inspires peace and humanity across the world. The heritage of Punjab is deep and inspiring," Kovind said, according to a statement issued by the PITEX.
The former president congratulated the PHDCCI for hosting the 19th edition of PITEX and suggested that the chamber should expand PITEX outside Punjab.
He proposed that a similar event should also be held in New Delhi.
