Technical snag hits Metro

Noida-Dwarka route affected; enraged commuters clash with CISF personnelOn the day the Ayodhya verdict was announced, thousands of Delhi Metro commuters got a scare when a technical problem on the Noida-Dwarka route led to slow movement of trains. People had to wait for several hours, resulting in severe commotion.Rumours started doing the rounds that it could be an attempt by miscreants to attack Metro commuters as the Ayodhya judgement was about to be delivered.I have been waiting for the last one hour, but no trains have arrived yet. I had thought that some miscreants might have stopped the train due to the Ayodhya verdict. But I felt relieved when I was told that it is a technical problem, said Ankit, a software engineer working with IBM. People stuck at Metro stations were not allowed to go outside while no one was permitted to get inside. Commuters breathed a sigh of relief when they were told about the technical snag by Metro officials. Some passengers who had urgent engagements, clashed with the CISF personnel at Noida Sector 15 Metro station. Many commuters barged inside the control room shouting slogans. After a few minutes, officials let Metro-Card holders to exit the station but others were asked to stay at the platform.u00a0u00a0 Some of the women commuters had arguments with CISF personnel when they were made to stand for hours at the check-in point. Meanwhile, a Delhi Metro representative said that a technical snag developed in signalling between Yamuna Bank and Noida City Centre on Dwarka-Noida Line at around 1:40 pm. As a result the trains were running slow. The problem was solved by 2:20 pm, said the official who also claimed that only one train had developed technical snag.Contrary to this claim, a Metro source said that two trains had developed technical problems due to which commuters had to spend hours waiting at the platforms. Need More Time The much-awaited Central Secretariat-Badarpur Metro line scheduled to open by Oct 2 is likely to be delayed, a Delhi Metro official said Thursday. The Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) who was to test the line today (Thursday) and tomorrow (Friday), has not conducted the test. If the CMRS conducts the test tomorrow and gives clearance, the Delhi Metro will be made operational, he said.