Metro warns against mobile use near sites

NEW DELHI: Talking on the mobile or texting while crossing near an under-construction Delhi Metro site will now get you a lecture from a marshal . After incidents involving use of mobile phones, Delhi Metro will be safeguarding its under-construction sites by putting up signage for pedestrians at crossings, advising them not to use cellphones.

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation is also deploying extra marshals to warn pedestrians found using mobiles near sites, said an official.

“Pedestrians who cling to their cellphones and resort to texting while crossing the road are actually jeopardizing their lives. Mobile phone usage while crossing the road distracts a person, which increasingly makes them more susceptible to being injured or killed by approaching traffic ,” said the Delhi Metro spokesperson . He added that civil contractors working on the construction of Phase III have been advised to install signage specially designed for this purpose. “These signs will be lightweight and self standing. They will be placed at a location where the contractor facilitates the pedestrians crossing, that is, near traffic diversions, main roads and crossings,” he said.

The installation is expected to be in place at some locations by March end. The locations identified are Lajpat Nagar – on Feroze Gandhi Marg near the junction at central market, near Shri Lal Sai Mandir at Vinobapuri, Sarojini Nagar, INA, South Extension, Bhikaji Cama Place, Vishwas Nagar/ Krishna Nagar crossing, Jafrabad , Mayur Vihar I, Anand Vihar, IP Extension, Moti Bagh, Delhi Cantonment , Dhaula Kuan (near subway), Munirka (Vivekananda Marg) and Vasant Vihar (Munirka Marg).

It’s not just Delhi Metro taking special measures to target pedestrians. A study by the University of Washington last year found that those texting while crossing the road are four times more likely to ignore oncoming traffic.