The Hindu : New Delhi News : Another day of delays for Metro services

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Tuesday, Feb 09, 2010
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Another day of delays for Metro services

Staff Reporter

A train had a recurring problem with the door closing and opening

NEW DELHI: It was yet another day of delays and disruptions for Delhi Metro rail users on Monday.

A train manufactured by Bombardier Transportation developed a snag near Shadipur depot and had to be removed from service. According to Delhi Metro officials, the train running on Line 3 (Dwarka-Noida) had a recurring problem with the door closing and opening.

“At about 6 p.m., the train was first stopped at Shadipur then again at Kirti Nagar. Finally it was withdrawn from the system and sent for checking. The train held up traffic for about 20 minutes. While traffic was mostly affected on Line 3, delays were also caused on the other lines,” said an official.

With trains not plying for 40-45 minutes on some sections, congestion and heavy rush of people was reported from several stations including Rajiv Chowk, Pragati Maidan, Kashmere Gate.

K. Kannan, a commuter who was travelling on Line 3, said: “When I reached Indraprastha Estate station, the token counter was closed and the person in charge informed me that the trains are not running. After waiting around for 15-20 minutes, the token counters re-opened and the train services resumed.”

He said the train he was on was brought to a halt following a loud noise near Pragati Maidan station. “First the train remained still for about 10 minutes between IP station and Pragati Maidan, then while approaching Pragati Maidan, there was a loud thud and the doors did not open for some time. We were told not to panic, then the doors opened and we were all asked to de-board. After waiting for several more minutes we were asked to board the train again. And all this while no one told us what was going on.” Some commuters even opted to take a bus. “It was raining and then there were no trains. I decided to take the bus, even though it was unpleasant. Last week also we were delayed because of a snag. It’s strange that though DMRC claims that the new Bombardier trains are state-of-the-art, they seem to develop snags so easily,” complained Eavi Mathur, another commuter on Line 3.

This was the second such incident this month. This past Friday the doors of a train got stuck while it was stationed at Central Secretariat. “Train services on Line 3 were hampered at different points on Monday when sudden rain caused disruption in the overhead electricity supply, which further caused flashing in the pentograph of the train near Jhandewalan. Non-opening of doors of another train at Kirti Nagar station and motoring problems in one train near Botanical Garden station were also reported,” a DMRC release said.

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