Kolkata metro not to run trains whole night during Durga puja
To avoid crowd during Durga puja, authorities of Kolkata Metro have decided not to run trains whole night. Although the number of trains and service times in the metro will increase in the next one week, the authorities have initially considered not to run the trains through the night during puja.
FollowKolkata Metro will not run through the night during Durga puja this year as a precaution against Covid-19.
Although the number of trains and service times in the metro will increase in the next one week, the authorities have initially considered not to run the trains whole night during puja.
In addition to crowd control plans at various stations, the plan involves the maintenance of racks, the issuance of paper tickets and pamphlet guide leaflets.
Also read: PM Narendra Modi to address people of Bengal on the occasion of Durga Puja
According to Metro sources, no separate outline has been made for puja this year.
A Metro official said, “We do not want to take any chances. Experts are anticipating a surge in Covid-19 cases after the Puja. Metro travel is easy and fast and our night trains are packed during the Puja. So, we have decided not to run trains through the night this year.”
“We used to witness maximum rush between 8.30pm and 1am during the four days of Durga puja. There would not be an inch of space left to stand. When doctors are insisting on caution this year, we should not encourage such crowding, “he added.
When Metro services resumed on September 14, the number of daily trains was 110 and the last trains left the terminal stations at 7pm.
Also read: West Bengal: Amid COVID-19 surge; private hospitals to increase number of COVID beds
Since then, the number of trains has gone up and the timings have been extended more than once. Metro authorities has been running 146 trains from Monday to Saturday. The last trains now leave the terminal stations at 8.30pm.
According to sources, the authorities want to extend the timings by around an hour by the Puja. Before the pandemic, the last trains left the terminal stations at 9.55pm.
Metro Chief Public Relations Officer Indrani Banerjee said, "Consideration is being given to increase the service keeping in mind the needs of the people."
