Delhi Metro – Take off with Natarajan

The Delhi Metro is overcrowded, it’s swarming with pickpockets and there are frequent technical glitches. Yeah, we know all these things. But is that all we need to know about our favorite ride around the national capital?

The fact remains that despite these problems, we never give Delhi Metro a skip. There is lot more to the metro than what meets the eye. Here are 10 interesting facts about saddi metro that you probably did not know!

1. No dustbins

The DMRC stations and platforms look spick and span despite the fact that there are no dustbins anywhere (apart from the restaurants). This is something Modi Ji would be very proud of!

Source: urbanistyczine

2. Neutral Zones

You call them power cuts, DMRC calls them power shifts! The momentary power lapses where lights and AC go off at certain stations are actually ‘power shifts’. These designated sub-stations a.k.a. neutral zones supply power to the metro since it can not get the required 25000 volts from a single station.

Source: sify

3. Even number of coaches

Ever seen a metro with 5 or 7 coaches? No chance of that happening. 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. Hence, Delhi metros have either 6 or 8 coaches. Always!

Source: dwarkaexpress

4. Journey ke saath bhi, journey ke baad bhi

DMRC takes care of your journey even after you deboard the train. A lot of metro stations provide bicycles on rent for as meagre as Rs 10 for 4 hours. Just don’t forget to carry a valid ID proof!

Source: mayurviharextension

5. DMRC Smart Card

Largely unknown, DMRC and ICICI bank got together to launch a DMRC debit card which has an auto recharge facility and gives 10 % discount on metro fare and shops at metro stations. Oh, did we mention cash back offers and reward points? Happy travelling!

Source: icicibank

6. Sari Guard feature of escalators

Delhi metro commuters are always in a hurry and DMRC realises that. Apart from the emergency stop button, the DMRC escalators also have a sari guard feature that deflects loose clothing from getting trapped.

Source: thehindu

7. Assistance for visually impaired

Apart from scrubbing your shoes clean on them, these broad yellow strips running on the Delhi Metro platforms serve a better purpose. These yellow tactile strips are the pathways for the visually impaired commuters, leading them directly to the lifts and to the exits.

Source: delhimetrorail

8. Wheelchair friendly

All stations have ramps built right at the entrance to help wheelchair-bound people to roll themselves around the station. This again shows how methodologically the Delhi Metro stations have been built.

Source: thehindu

9. Distance covered by Delhi Metro

The Delhi Metro network consists of a total of 200 trains covering a total distance of 69,000 kms every day. To put things into perspective, the earth’s total circumference is 40,075 kms!

Source: wikipedia

10. Punctuality

In our own rush of reaching our destination, we hardly notice that Delhi Metro is one of the very few punctual things that have happened to Delhi, or India perhaps!

Source: wikimedia

Next time someone brags about his luxury car, you know just the points to defend your own ride!

This write up is inspired by an awesome post we found on Quora.

Source::::: Gaurav Arora on http://www.scoopwhoop.com

Natarajan

Jan 13 2015

‘As I sat down in the cab, I forwarded details of the cab number, driver’s name and phone number to a family member.’

‘I also switched on the GPS on my phone.’

Upasna Pandey, who travels at odd hours in taxis every 15 days, reveals how she stays safe.

I’m both, a novice and expert on Delhi roads. I am a novice because I have travelled to all parts of Delhi, but cannot give directions if the need arises.

I’m an expert because I have used all possible modes of public transport — from the Delhi Metro to a cycle rickshaw.

When I need to travel long distances at odd hours and have to select a cab service, which may happen at least once in 15 days, the decision is usually a quick one, based on earlier experiences.

I am sharing with you one such experience at night.

It started with a trip to Dwarka for a family event which was to end post dinner. I requested a cab to take me from Dwarka to Noida opting for 10 pm as the pickup time.

Dwarka is one of the biggest residential hubs in Delhi, located close to the Indira Gandhi International Airport. It is densely populated and well-connected through a deep reach of public transport. So when I decided to use a private cab, I was confident it was a safe decision.

The driver turned up at the designated time. He was a middle aged man, heavy built, tall with a heavy voice. This is important to share as I am the opposite of this in size, so an immediate sense of intimidation is almost natural.

As I sat down in the cab, I forwarded the details of the cab registration number, driver’s name and phone number to a family member for reference. I also switched on the GPS on my mobile phone to understand the most suitable route to reach Noida.

There is one more thing which I have been doing for many years, almost instinctively: As soon as I board a cab, I remove all expensive jewellery in case I am wearing any.

We were on our way when I realised that the route shown on the GPS was actually a deserted stretch and my instinct was to move on to the busier roads which may have taken much longer.

Some panic had set in as I worried over this while the driver continued to drive on the GPS route; he also assured me that we would be reaching a busy road soon.

I called up my family member to share the exact location and seek an opinion on whether it was safe to continue on it or to deviate to a busy road.

I noticed that the driver was speaking to someone in Punjabi on his phone. I understood the language so was at ease to know it was his personal call, and nothing with reference to me. It did bother me when he chose to speak in his native language, I would have preferred if he spoke in Hindi or English.

The 5 to 10 minutes drive on a deserted stretch was enough to give me goosebumps; I resolved not to commit myself to any such engagements which would require me to travel alone at night in cabs.

I was waiting anxiously to see a busy road and some streetlights, which are also missing in many parts of Delhi, regardless of these being well developed areas.

Soon we hit a busy National Highway and then the Ring road which is the lifeline of Delhi, heading for Noida. I had the option of taking one more relatively lonely stretch which would help enter Noida via Mayur Vihar or taking a toll road which required payment, I chose the latter.

I was not consistently on the phone with my family member but making repeated phone calls, so I could remain attentive and alert to the route and the driver’s behaviour; this is crucial.

Keeping myself rooted in the reality of being alone with a stranger for a short span on the road made more sense for me instead of talking over the phone with a loved one, as an escape to comfort.

I saw a couple of police patrol vehicles en route, which was also comforting but I was praying I wouldn’t need to reach out for any help.

I reached home in almost an hour, paid the cab fare, and thanked the driver for a service which was more about safety than about distance.

I knew if there is one learning for me from this experience, it was simple: It’s better to be paranoid than be casual and careless.

The driver would normally be a good person, but the risk is too high if he isn’t. It is better to be slightly aloof than being friendly and being misunderstood.

Let’s not take a chance.

SOURCE:::: http://www.rediff.com

Natarajan