Metro to deploy squads to patrol lines on Independence Day

Delhi Metro will deploy squads to patrol all elevated corridors on August 15 to prevent over head equipment from tripping due to kite flying, a tradition followed by people in the national capital.

The squads will carry a special insulated rod by which they can immediately remove any kind of material falling on over head equipment (electrification).

The squads will patrol three corridors -- Rithala- Dilshad Garden (Line 1), Dwarka Sec 9-Noida City Centre/Anand Vihar (Line 3) and Inderlok-Mundka (Line 4) on August 14, 15 and 16, sources said.

The elevated sections of Line 2 (Central Secretariat- Jehangirpuri) and will also be patroled on Independence Day.
   
Last year too, the DMRC had deployed special squads to prevent over head equipment from tripping.

While the over head equipment tripped 28 times on Line-1 and 44 times on Line-3 in 2008, it tripped only a couple of times last year due to strict vigil.

However, Metro services were not affected due to the tripping.

"Even if the over head equipment trips, the same can be restored within seconds. Continuous watch will be maintained by traction controllers from OCC during these three days," a source said.

The squad will also be given special access to track during the revenue hours, the sources said.

People in the national capital fly kites on Independence Day and these often fall onto the over head equipment.