Delhi Metro’s citizen forum to have 1,000 members before Games

The Delhi Metro is planning to nearly double the number of its Citizen Forum members before the October Commonwealth Games in the city.

The forum sensitises Delhi Metro rail passengers about the need to behave courteously with fellow passengers besides emphasising on the importance of etiquette, discipline and cooperation.

They also inform Metro officials if an unidentified bag or suspicious commuters are found in the Metro. These members play a crucial role in helping thwart terror incidents in the Delhi Metro.

“There are around 400 members in the forum at present and we hope to raise the number to 1,000 before the Games. The new ones should be regular commuters,” a Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) spokesperson told IANS.

The forum was set up in September, 2009 with 130 members.

The volunteers in the Citizens’ Forum are from all age and social groups like students, doctors, retired army officers, teachers, businessmen and senior citizens. They have been given badges to identify them and trained in various important aspects of Metro operations by the DMRC.

“It has been a great success so far. We are holding meetings every two months to discuss plans and preparations for the Commonwealth Games. Yesterday (Thursday) also the officials and forum members discussed plans for the Games,” the spokesperson said.

He said the next meeting will be held in August.

The members are asked to furnish a photograph, identity proof, besides filling up the forms for the purpose. They are in turn given direct contact numbers of senior Metro officials with whom they can get in touch in case of any incident.