Facts about Delhi Metro

Delhi Metro has been in the news ever since its inception in 1998 because there are several things that make it a more suitable mode of transportation than others. 

The Metro is once again in the news, but for a reason that most of us would find difficult to believe. 

According to data collected by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) from January to May of 2015, 95 percent of pickpockets caught on Delhi Metro are female.

There are several other interesting facts related to the metro that very few know about. 

Here we have a look at some of them.

No drinking water

Three years ago Supreme Court issued notice to Centre and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) over providing drinking water. But an RTI has revealed that the DMRC has failed to make arrangement for drinking water at metro stations. 

Replying to an RTI, filed by activist Kush Kalra, the DMRC said, “Drinking water facility through outsourced agency has been made for DMRC employees/CISF and the employees engaged by the contractor at stations”.

Rajiv Chowk is named after Rajiv Goswami not Rajiv Gandhi

The Rajiv Chowk metro station was not named after Rajiv Gandhi but Rajiv Goswami, a politically active student who protested against the Mandal Commission job reservation recommendations.

No Dustbins

Most of us know that DMRC doesn’t used dustbins but very few know the reasons behind it.

Let us tell that it stopped using dustbins since 2008 when they received a hoax call. An anonymous caller had told the DMRC that a bomb was planted at the busy Rajiv Chowk station on 16 September, 2008.

Rain water harvesting

As an environmental measure, the DMRC conducts rainwater harvesting all along the route of the blue line.

Sari Guard

The escalators at the stations have a ‘sari guard’ feature which stops saris from getting tangled in the escalators.

Voice behind announcements

The female voice you here in Metro (in English) is of Rini Simon, while the male voice (in Hindi) is voiced by Shammi Narang.

Second most popular metro system

Delhi Metro was ranked the second most popular metro system last year. The first was of New York.

Even number of coaches

Ever wondered why DMRC uses even number of coaches? This is because DMRC rails have 2 types of coaches, namely the 'driver car' and the 'motor car'. They serve as one unit and cannot be used separately.

Disabled friendly

The Delhi Metro is very disabled-friendly as it uses braille buttons in lift, yellow strips and ramps close to the entrance.

Punctuality

The Delhi Metro is punctual 99.7% of the time.