Snag disrupts Delhi Metro's Blue Line, restored

New Delhi, July 1 (IANS) Delhi Metro commuters had a harrowing time Tuesday morning as a snag hit services on the Blue Line from Dwarka Sector 21 to Noida City Centre/Vaishali, causing trains to run slow and halt for long at many stations, resulting in overcrowding, officials said.

The problem was rectified after more than an hour.

A fault occurred in the overhead electrical (OHE) wires at 10.20 a.m., and was rectified at 11.55 a.m., according to a Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) official.

The fault in the OHE was located between Moti Nagar and Ramesh Nagar Metro stations, a Delhi Metro statement said.

"Train services were affected between Kirti Nagar and Subhash Nagar stations," it said.

Trains ran in two loops from Subhash Nagar to Dwarka and Kirti Nagar to Noida/Vaishali.

Though the DMRC clarified that "all other lines were unaffected" over the incident, train services continued to be slow with train halts of around 20 minutes at each station, which officials attributed to "some bunching effect".

"I was stuck inside the Metro at Yamuna Bank station for more than an hour. However, trains on the opposite side were plying," a Metro user said.

"Announcements were made at Noida Sector 15 station asking commuters in a hurry to opt for other means of transportation," another user added.

The fault led to chaos at many stations along the route.

According to commuters, the snag that occurred during peak hours forced many passengers to get off mid-way.

Vandita Jain, 19, travelling from Rohini to Jhandewalan, told IANS: "The train stopped for close to 20 minutes at Rajiv Chowk and it was overflowing with people. Though I had to go to Jhandewalan, I decided to take an auto instead as I was getting late for work."

Another user, Bhavika Singh, who boarded the Metro at Patel Nagar, said the station was teeming with people.

"Due to the crowd, there was no ladies coach on the train I travelled. It was merged with the general compartment," she said.