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The 24x7 world of Delhi Metro

NEW DELHI: At nightfall when the last train comes back having done its job for the day, it is time for a group of men to begin theirs. Aided with assorted paraphernalia they set about the task of transforming soiled, grubby train sets into gleaming coaches all ready to negotiate underground tunnels and traverse over elevated platforms.

In the 24x7 world of Delhi metro, there is always someone on the job. The maintenance staff that works its way into the night is entrusted with the task of washing and cleaning the trains, inspecting the curves and detecting defects in the tracks.

“There is a flurry of activity at night. Different departments have tasks outlined for them and once train services are suspended for the day, it is time for the night maintenance staff to take over,” says Anuj Dayal, Chief Public Relations Officer of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.

The rolling stock department, counted among the “most active” departments at night, for instance is entrusted with the work of cleaning the trains. The outer bodies of the trains are cleaned in washing plants of the depots when they return from the mainline after revenue services. The housekeeping staff works on the train exteriors and also cleans the coaches from inside. Every day, one train in each depot is taken for heavy cleaning, which involves wiping clean the roof as well.

“After the cleaning, data is downloaded from the train cab about failures and anomalies faced during operation. These are then rectified by the rolling stock staff, which then issues fitness certificates to the Depot Control Centre. This is done by 4 a.m. to ensure that trains start rolling out from depot in time for revenue services.”

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