KOLKATA (Metro Rail News): Country’s first metro railway network, the Kolkata Metro will resume its services for the general public from 14 September. The metro rail service will begin in a graded manner and initially, the metro services will be available from 8 am to 8 pm.
The services of the Kolkata Metro were suspended in the last week of March after a nationwide lockdown was imposed to stop the spread of COVID-19. The Kolkata Metro will also run special services for NEET aspirants and their parents on 13 September.
This service will be exclusively for medical entrance examinees and their guardians, Metro Railway spokesperson Indrani Banerjee said to media persons. Examinees will have to show NEET admit cards at the gates of Metro stations, said one official.
Railways Minister Piyush Goyal said in a tweet, ” Helping students in this time of need, Kolkata Metro to run special services for NEET aspirants & their parents on 13th September. Enhancing convenience for general passengers, Metro Services will resume in a graded manner from 14th September between 8 am to 8 pm”.
”The passengers can use only smart cards for travel and will have to download the Aarogya Setu App on their phones. It said no tokens will be used. The Metro authorities have decided to allow a maximum 400 passengers in a train at a time and colour-coded e-passes will be dispensed to the commuters through a link in their mobile phones to maintain the number”, said SOP released by Kolkata Metro.
“On successful booking of slots, passengers will receive e-pass on their mobile phone with information of time slot, passenger name, originating and destination stations,” the SOP said.
Entry to metro stations will be allowed only through verification of the e-pass by state police, while RPF personnel at stations will maintain close coordination with the state police and no tokens will be sold according to the SOP.
General Manager of Kolkata Metro, Mr Manoj Joshi inspected all the stations between Park Street and Noapara oÂn Tuesday prior to the resumption of Metro services. THe also inspected the entry and exit gates of all the stations in this stretch. He inspected the markings inside the Metro premises which will help Metro commuters maintain social distancing and he also checked the sanitizer dispensing machines at the stations.
