Metro cracks down on passengers for spitting, littering

In order to ensure that the visitors during the Commonwealth Games find all Delhi Metro property clean, the Corporation has begun another drive to rein in commuters found spitting, littering or defacing Metro property.

According to officials, four special flying squads consisting of Metro officials have been created that are conducting surprise checks almost every day on different routes to catch erring commuters.

In March, the squads registered 195 cases of spitting and 62 cases of defacement.

“Thousands of foreign visitors are expected to use the Metro system during the Games, and we want to maintain world-class civic standards in all our trains and stations. For this, we are taking a number of measures to instill better civic sense among the commuters,” a DMRC spokesperson said.

“The station staff has been specifically directed to keep a close eye on commuters found spitting, littering or defacing the Metro premises. The station managers and controllers authorised to realise penalty from the offending commuters have already been issued ‘Authorised for Penalty’ identity cards.”

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has also roped in volunteers of the Metro Citizens’ Forum to report any passengers indulging in pushing others, jumping the queue, not allowing other passengers to board or disembark the trains and obstructing the closing of doors.

In addition to the Metro helpline number, the volunteers have also been given the mobile phone numbers of senior officials.

About one million commuters use the Metro on any working day and it is expected that two million commuters will be using the system by the time the Commonwealth Games begin.