DMRC alerts cops to traffic mess at metro stations

NEW DELHI: The increasing traffic mess outside Metro stations has prompted DMRC to write a scathing letter to Delhi Police. Metro officials have also recommended that the area around stations, which is under jurisdiction of Delhi Traffic Police, be handed over to Delhi Metro Rail Police so that the situation can be managed better.

The letter, which was sent last week, is in reaction to the haphazard plying and parking of autorickshaws, Gramin Sewas and other vehicles outside stations. The letter, a copy of which is with TOI, is addressed to the joint commissioner of police Mukesh Meena.

It reads, "Local police has neither the time nor interest in maintaining law and order at stations. Three million people use the Metro daily and lack of action by police is affecting a large number of commuters." It goes on about beggars and hawkers near stations and parked autos and cycle-rickshaws which lead to snarls.

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, in its letter, has asked police to take action and also makes a case for handing over the station areas to the Delhi Metro Rail Police. The letter says, "SHOs of DMRP have expressed their inability to take action as the areas do not fall under them as per the notification issued by GNCT Delhi."

The note recommends that either cops coordinate with local police to take action against the "persons who are creating nuisance at the metro stations" or redefine the jurisdiction of DMRP. "We are of the view that the area between where a station begins and ends should fall under DMRP," it states.

According to Delhi Metro, it has deployed private security guards but since they have no authority, no action has been taken. DMRC has been facing a lot of flak for encroachments and traffic jams outside stations areas because of the presence of various intermediate public transport (IPT). It has also received several complaints from commuters as well as the urban development ministry, said officials.