The Delhi Metro on Monday recorded its highest ever ridership of 26,84,132 passengers with the maximum number of commuters taking line 3 and 4 to Dwarka Sector 21 to Noida City Centre and Vaishali. With an increase of 33,497 commuters, the July 21 record surpassed its previous one set last year on August 19.
The highest ridership recorded throughout the day was over 2.6 million on Monday, breaking the earlier record of 26,50,635 of last year. Out of the total figure, about 10,09,276 passengers take the Dwarka Sector 21 to Noida City Centre and Vaishali, while 9,76,549 commuters travel by line 2 from Jahangirpuri to HUDA City Centre.
While line 1 from Dilshad Garden to Rithala saw a footfall of 3,58,578 commuters throughout the day, about 2,17,429 passengers took line 6 from Central Secretariat to Badarpur and 99,757 travelled through the Inderlok/Kirti Nagar to Mundka line.
According to DMRC Executive Director (corporate communication) Anuj Dayal, a slew of measures have been taken by Delhi Metro to cater to such a huge ridership. Additional 136 coaches have been added since last year and the average speed of trains has been increased from 33 kmph to 36 kmph.
During peak hour, headways between trains in line 2 has been improved from 2 minutes 38 seconds to 2 minutes 18 seconds and in line 3 and 4 it has been improved from 2 minutes 45 seconds to 2 minutes 36 seconds, Dayal said. Additional 200 Automatic Fare Collection Gates have also been installed at various stations, he added.