Metro services delayed as train halted briefly for Xi Jinping's convoy

NEW DELHI: Metro services were today affected on the Blue Line after operations were suspended briefly on the elevated stretch near Pragati Maidan station while Chinese Premier Xi Jinping's cavalcade was passing through the area.

The metro services were suspended on the elevated stretch on Dwarka Sector 21-Noida City Centre/ Vaishali line (Blue Line) for about three minutes before and after Xi's cavalcade passed through Pragati Maidan area around 10 AM.

"There was a minor delay owing to the Chinese Premier's visit. Due to security purposes, trains were not plying (on the stretch) during that time," a DMRC official said.

A train on Dwarka Sector 21-Noida City Centre/Vaishali line was halted during the rush office hours, leading to subsequent bunching of trains.

A daily commuter, Suvigya, had to face a harrowing time to reach office. "Instead of usual half-a-minute stoppage at every station, the train stopped for 3-4 minutes at each station. At Kirti Nagar it got stuck for 5-6 minutes and again at Karol Bagh and Jhandewala," Suvigya claimed.

Another commuter, Neha, said she got stuck at Dwarka Sector 14 station for about 15 minutes.