Delhi Metro to run at peak frequency during odd-even vehicle rule

Home minister Satyendar Jain said Saturday that the Delhi Metro would run at the highest possible frequency during the odd-even vehicle restriction period from January 1 to 15.

“For 15 days, the metro will run on peak frequency or maximum possible frequency and run till late irrespective of whether there is rush or not, so that people have an alternative and autos don’t overcharge,” Jain said.

Speaking at a press conference on women’s safety, the minister stressed on a range of measures to improve the city’s public transportation to buttress the odd-even car policy.

Read | Why Delhiites must make an ‘odd-even’ rule work

He also said metro’s coaches will be increased and the last-train timing extended. “Soon all Metro trains will have eight compartments, which will help tackle the rush,” he said.

Buses will be made to strictly adhere to the left-side driving rule during the trial period, he said. “We will build a dedicated bus lane in Delhi by marking areas on the road, and buses will have to adhere to it so that rest of the road space can be used by other vehicles,” he said.

Talking about the future course of action, the minister said the government would redesign all roads. “The present design suits car users the most, then the public transport, and last come the pedestrians and cyclists. We will re-design all the roads in a way that it suits the walkers, cyclists and public transports the most,” he added.

Defending the government’s odd-even policy, he said, “Earlier, people thought this formula is not possible. Now they know it is. They have even started chalking out ways to carpool. We will learn from this trial period.” He further said chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, deputy CM Manish Sisodia and he shared a car on their way to meet Union home minister Rajnath Singh recently, and that other ministers also wouldn’t mind carpooling.

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