Even after increasing fare twice in previous year, the Delhi Metro appears to be apathetic in providing services to commuters.
Riders mostly feel the hike is not worth the service the DMRC is providing. To add to the woes of commuters is the Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) installed at the stations as they do not accept new currency notes in Rs 50, 200 and 500 denominations.
A reality check done by The Pioneer found that problem in Metro is much more than the complaints made by the riders. It was found that at AIIMS, INA, lajpat Nagar, Mandi House, ITO, Vishwa Vidyalaya, Kashmere Gate, Civil lines, Rajiv Chowk stations, the TVMs accept only Rs 10, 20 that too only for buying tokens. Rs 100 is accepted for recharge of the smart cards.
Four TVMs were found out of service at the Rajiv Chowk Metro Station.
It has also been observed at stations such as Kashmere Gate, Vaishali, AIIMS, ITO, and Vishwavidyalaya and Yamuna Bank the escalators and lifts do not function after 9.30 pm. “During night hours, the Metro service becomes a pain for senior citizens. Delhi Metro management should be concerned about elder citizens,” said 65-year-old John, who travels daily from Vishwavidyalaya to Chhattarpur.
When contacted, a DMRC spokesperson told The Pioneer, “The escalators and lifts stop sometimes due to technical error but if it is a regular problem then we will take serious action to improve the system.”
Advocate Mohit Kumar Gupta, who made several complaints on the TVM machines and mobile connectivity issue in the Metro, says, “The mobile networks are extremely pathetic during Metro travel, specifically during underground passage. It has not been fixed on the Magenta line.
The situation further aggravates with TVM not accepting legal tender of Rs 200 and Rs 500.
The DMRC and mobile companies are liable under consumer law and how the completion certificate is provided to the new line without mandatory availability of mobile networks is a prime question.”
“It depends on the mobile service provider. Some companies are working and its network connects but some even after our request are not providing the networks. So far as the TVM machines are concerned, all Rs 500 notes are accepted for almost a year. Further, software upgradation for the Rs 200 notes are in process and is expected to be ready soon by this month,” said the DMRC official.
The passengers, who use the heritage corridor and the newly inaugurated Magenta line, complain of very poor mobile connectivity on these stretches. “Network problem is a common thing but it becomes very uncomfortable when the connectivity completely drops. One cannot communicate with his/her family in any emergency for at least one hour while travelling on the Magenta line,” said Aditi, a daily commuter, who travels from Vasant Vihar to Botanical Garden.