West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee yesterday (Friday, 26th June 2020) said Kolkata Metro may resume services from 1st July and that due to pandemic passengers will be allowed only up to the seating capacity.
“We are discussing with the Metro authorities about resuming the Metro services from 1st July, allowing passengers only up to the seating capacity,” said Mamata.
Hours after West Bengal Chief Minister expressed willingness to allow metro services from July 1st, the Kolkata Metro said it has readied modalities for resumption, keeping in mind COVID-19 safety protocols, the metro authorities will hold discussions with the state government in this regard once it gets the go-ahead from the Railway Ministry.’
“The state government has to communicate its inclination on running of metro services to the Railway Ministry, following which a directive has to come from the ministry on the commencement,” an official said.
The Kolkata Metro has been conducting trial runs of trains for maintenance of its rolling stock, signalling systems and other facilities since the last week of May. It had earlier said strict social distancing norms will be maintained at entry points and inside coaches after recommencement of services.
“This may lead to a reduced number of passengers who are allowed to travel,” the official added.