Salient observations/ complaints/ suggestions/ viewpoints that Delhi Metro Rail (DMRC) must look into ASAP!

Since start of its operations, the Delhi Metro (DMRC) has become the much much anticipated new lifeline of not only the capital city- Delhi, but also the adjoining major suburbs like Noida, Gurgaon, Faridabad that comprise the National Capital Region (NCR).

Though the Delhi Metro, as it is commonly called for DMRC in the region, has become the preferred mode of commuting for a large section of society that includes ordinary workers to labourers to executives to government babus to even the ladies traveling alone; there have been certain issues/ glitches that I would like to point out through your blog on behalf of myself and my known ones who feel these issues must be addressed to at the very earliest so as to make the Metro a reliable commuting mode for long.

Common observations/ complaints/ suggestions/ viewpoints that Delhi Metro (DMRC) must look into are:

1. Irregular frequency of arrival/ departure of trains at peak traffic hours
   Although DMRC has been asserting that the frequency of the trains is maintained at 2 to 4 minutes on all important routes especially at peak hours, yet the reality is far from that. The time between two successive trains touches even as high as 10 to 12 minutes some of the times.
   
   
2. Congested corridors and security check spaces at departure blocks
   Despite several reputed consultants carrying out the Design & Engineering for DMRC, the corridors and security check spaces at departure blocks have not been ably designed not foreseeing the huge masses that queue up at stations daily. Consider the Metro stations like MG Road (on Gurgaon stretch), Rajiv Chowk and adjoining stations at/near Cannaught Place in Delhi, etc. that choke on space at departure blocks.
   
   
3. Inconsistency in maintaining normal train speed
   Now this is very much reminiscent to what we all might have experienced traveling by buses (especially private buses) where the bus drivers drove at their own leisure, replicating a 'turtle' when no competitor bus is behind them, while suddenly turning into a speeding 'hare' otherwise. The Metro, sometimes seem to take commuters for a ride going at its own pace, i.e., sometimes normal and sometimes so very slow.
   
   
4. Overcrowding of platforms, coaches & trains
   This has become a routine and normal situation wherein due to the trains not plying on regular frequency, the platforms become witness overcrowding, which in turn results in overcrowding of the coaches, and therefore, the entire train. Boarding and de-boarding becomes a pain in such circumstances. 
   
   
5. Lack of adequate maintenance of fresh air in coaches during overcrowding/ otherwise
   Overcrowding of coaches bring about yet another major problem-- lack of adequate ventilation for want of fresh air/ conditioned air supply. Fainting of passengers onboard has become another routine affair in the Metro trains, which has been observed mostly in overcrowded coaches. I wonder has DMRC anytime thought about this aspect?
   
   
6. Lack of dedicated parking blocks at certain key metro stations
   While creating an important and valuable infrastructure for a major city like Delhi, the authorities together with the Government and DMRC must have ensured proper parking lots at all the metro stations so that the citizens are supported in leaving their vehicles at the parking lots and thereby helping reduce the pollution risk. However, parking lots are missing from so many of major stations that it transpires as if complete planning failure on part of the concerned agencies.
   
   
7. Frequent technical glitches halting the services now and then
   This needs no further explanation as all must be aware that the occurrences and recurrences of such glitches and technical failures are slowly becoming a norm. DMRC must attend to the problems together with concerned authorities/ agencies to ensure minimum downtime of its services as multitude of people and respective establishments get affected due to this.
   
   
8. Bad construction, bad finishing and unhygienic maintenance of toilet blocks
   Commuters who might have used the toilet blocks at most of the metro stations would join me in throwing brick-bats at the concerned for the dilapidated condition of the sanitary hygiene blocks (even that in newly constructed stations, viz., Delhi-Gurgaon Metro line stations and Delhi-Faridabad line Metro stations). Though the toilet blocks are manned by some caretaker, the toilets do not look different than ugly, dirty & mismanaged public toilets. 'Sulabh' operated toilet blocks (like that at Hauz Khas station) however are a better lot.

These are the few points that come to my mind and I request team bricks-n-mortar and other readers to append other genuine problems/ suggestions/ etc. to the list and forward the same to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for taking corrective/ bettering measures so that their landmark services remain the chosen one for all masses and classes for long.

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[This is a Guest Post by Ms. Swati Narayan, an avid blogger by herself and a recent visitor to bricks-n-mortar(dot)com. Ms. Narayan is a senior HR executive working in Gurgaon using Delhi Metro services for commuting between her work and home located in Delhi. Readers are encouraged to send in their contributions/ guest posts/ queries/ etc. to team(at)bricks-n-mortar(dot)com]

Post title: Salient observations/ complaints/ suggestions/ viewpoints that Delhi Metro Rail (DMRC) must look into ASAP!

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