Why Delhi Metro is increasing the frequency of weekday trips

Delhi Metro has ramped up its operations, initiating additional trips starting today, October 25, in a proactive move to combat the city's air pollution. To tackle the issue of vehicular pollution, the Delhi Metro will be conducting an extra 40 trips on weekdays across its extensive network.

What's happening

• The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) reports that it currently facilitates over 4,300 trips every day.
• This move follows the recent invocation of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)-II measures aimed at addressing pollution in the capital.
• Anuj Dayal, Principal Executive Director of Corporate Communications at DMRC, stated, "Under Stage-II of GRAP, DMRC will be operating 40 additional train trips on weekdays (Monday to Friday) across its network starting Wednesday, October 25, 2023. This measure aims to promote the extensive use of public transport in the Delhi-NCR region."

As part of the various measures being adopted by the Delhi government to combat pollution under GRAP-II stage, DMRC will run 40 additional train trips on weekdays (Mon-Fri) across its network starting Wednesday i.e, 25.10.2023.

— Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (@OfficialDMRC) October 24, 2023

• Alongside this initiative, district authorities are conducting regular field visits to ensure the strict implementation of pollution mitigation measures.
• With a 393-km long network spanning Delhi-NCR and comprising 12 Metro lines (including the Rapid Metro in Gurugram and the Aqua Line in Noida), the DMRC serves commuters through a total of 288 Metro stations.

Measures to tackle air pollution in national capital

• The Delhi government has been directed to increase the number of buses in the capital under the "Paryavaran Bus Sewa" campaign, thereby strengthening public transport and reducing vehicular emissions.
• Recently, the government identified eight additional pollution hotspots in Delhi, supplementing the existing 13 hotspots.
  Gopal Rai, the Delhi Environment Minister, announced that specialized teams will be deployed at these locations to identify pollution sources and implement necessary measures in collaboration with the Delhi Pollution Control Committee.
• Stage II category measures also include strict enforcement of the ban on diesel generator sets, ensuring uninterrupted power supply across NCR, and raising parking fees to incentivize the use of public transport

Air quality forecast

Officials from the India Meteorological Department have warned that the air quality in Delhi-NCR is likely to remain "very poor" for the next few days due to decreased temperatures and the inflow of emissions from stubble burning.