In an article in the Times of India it has been mentioned that the Delhi Metro has lost about 13 hours of operational time in the last three months due to misuse of the passenger emergency alarm (PEA) system by commuters. Due to this, nearly 200 train trips, which would have carried nearly three lakh commuters, had to be canceled. “Passengers operated the PEA button 260 times delaying trains services from 2-5 minutes every time this button was misused. As a result, DMRC had to cancel 200 train trips, in the last three months,” said a DMRC spokesperson. Every misuse of the PEA caused long queues as the trains behind are also held up till the effected PEA system is reset.

This accounts for serious damage to the efficiency of the Delhi Metro to commute passengers at the fastest possible time. One might say that Delhi Metro comes in news for every bad reasons – whether derailments, delays or even hoof in construction – but at some point of time the commuters are also responsible for the same. P. Chidambaram once said that Delhi has to learn lot many things for welcoming Commonwealth Games and Delhi Metro being the icon of the city, its proper function meant a lot. Unnecessary rush, misbehaviour and other inhuman practices has led to the increasing number of abnormalities.

This is very painful and these sorts of behaviour in the best public transport of the city is very condeming. No doubt there has been a face-lift since some time now but it needs a ‘face-overhaul’! I feel having a Passenger Relationship Manager inside every compartment (4 in a train) can be a viable solution. What’s your say on that?

Photo: Floating on the Internet