200 extra Metro train trips on Raksha Bandhan day

New Delhi, Aug 10: Anticipating more rush on ''Raksha Bandhan'' especially with its network now extending across the NCR, Delhi Metro will run over 200 extra trains trips on Saturday.

Additional personnel will also be deployed at several busy stations on the metro network to cater to the commuters on the day of the festival.

Delhi Metro usually witnesses huge rush on Raksha Bandhan with people who are visiting relatives preferring to travel through Metro to avoid traffic jams.

"Trains will be run at peak-hour frequency from 8 AM to 8.30 PM on Saturday and over 15 trains which are normally withdrawn from lines during off peak hours (12:30 PM to 04:30 PM) will be kept in service performing over 200 extra trips making a total of about 2700 trips on that day," DMRC Chief Public Relations Office Anuj Dayal said.

Last year, over 12.02 lakh passengers travelled on Raksha Bandhan day by the Metro.

To cater to the rush, 38 extra shifts of eight hours each have been arranged and extra manpower will be deployed at stations like Dilshad Garden, Shahdara, Welcome, Seelampur, Shastri Park, Pitampura, Rohini East, Rohini West, Rithala, Jahangir Puri, Adarsh Nagar, GTB Nagar, Yamuna Bank and Uttam Nagar East.

In addition, extra personnel will be deployed to handle the increased load on the ticketing system and the Metro ticketing staff on 67 stations will do additional shifts.

Delhi Metro currently has a network of 190 km, including the Airport Express Line, carrying over 18 lakh people a day.

It is expected to carry over 20 lakh commuters by the end of this year.

PTI