Confusion over order hits Metro commuters

Delhi Metro stations witnessed chaotic scenes on Wednesday morning as the Metro staff refused to accept Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes in the morning hours after the government’s decision to demonetise these notes. The commotion and confusion affected scores of commuters in the peak morning hours. The government’s move to demonetise these notes also led to almost 125 per cent increase in transaction of Rs 500 notes, 100 per cent increase in transactions with Rs 1000 notes 60 per cent dip in transactions worth Rs 200.

A Delhi Metro Rail Corporation spokesperson admitted that until it was clarified by the Centre, the metro stations were not accepting Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes for recharging cards and buying tokens till about 11 am. The commotion was relieved after a notification was issued by the DMRC saying that these notes will be accepted till Saturday.

Meanwhile, on a brighter side, a day after the decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, the city witnessed 50 per cent fall in street crime on Wednesday. The police has also checked preparedness at all banks in the city as deposit and withdrawal of money will begin from Thursday onwards.

A senior Delhi police official confirmed that on Wednesday, there were only four calls of robberies and two calls of snatching. It was almost 50 per cent less than street crimes like snatching and robberies reported every day in the city. “On Wednesday, we got PCR calls of robberies from Civil Lines, Anand Vihar and Majuna ka Tila area and two other calls of snatching. It was surprisingly less than any other day. People avoiding carrying notes with high denominations could be one of the reason,” said a official. The police said that the dip in street crime could be because of low footfall in markets. The police has also been alerted to maintain vigil near banks.