New Delhi: Thousands of commuters faced a tough time on Thursday evening after a portion of a railing fell on the tracks and disrupted services on the Violet Line. The railing was installed on the concrete boundary wall of the ramp portion.
“The railing fell owing to a sudden high wind pressure and hit the side of a train on the section. The train operator stopped the train and subsequently the passengers on board were evacuated. They were led to the next station on foot. There was no injury to anyone,” said Anuj Dayal, the executive director of DMRC.
“A railing fell between the Jangpura and Lajpat Nagar Metro stations due to heavy wind and rain in the afternoon. The Violet Line connects Kashmere Gate in Delhi to Escorts Mujesar in Faridabad. The incident took place around 4.00 pm and services are being run in two loops — Nehru Place to Escorts Mujesar and Central Secretariat to Kashmere Gate,” a DMRC spokesperson said.
“After the incident, the approaching train, which was moving towards Lajpat Nagar station, was put on hold due to this obstruction. All passengers were safely taken to Lajpat Nagar station. Normal movement will be restored as soon as the railing is removed,” he added. The overhead electricity supply had been put off between Central Secretariat and Nehru Place sections to remove the railing, the official said.
Single line movement started between Nehru Place and Central Secretariat section through UP line from 5.45 pm onwards. Normal movement on both lines resumed between Central Secretariat and Nehru Place section from 6.47 pm onwards and services on Line 6 were fully available since then.
“I got down at Mandi House station and saw a massive cluster of people scattered all over the station. The Metro was very late. Due to this, there was a huge ruckus at the station. I also got late for my office,” said Bhumika Saraswati, a commuter.
“I had availed the Violet Line in Mandi House Metro station. However, I was left stranded on the Metro. Despite announcements of a technical glitch, there seemed to be no relief and commuters were forced to vacate the Metro. The situation arises at a time when Metro rail prices have taken a hike,” said Monish Upadhyay, another commuter.
