Today I finally got to do it. I got a chance to travel in the Delhi Metro. Yes I am a late tourist and talking about Delhi Metro is so 2002.
I was happily impressed with the way it all works. It indeed like they show it in the pictures. The feeling is great right from the entrances, well not exactly – but almost. At the entrances there was usual dust, which I think is impossible to avoid in Delhi specially during these summer days. Although the stations inside were squeaky clean.
The wide staircases at the stations gave an impression of a well thought out plan for lots of rush. And rush in Delhi can be mind boggling. The ticketing process was comparatively simple. The entrance gates and processes are like any other Metro system in the world.
The impact of a Metro system in a city like Delhi is most obvious, once you enter a train. People dare to smile at each other. And then you realize, that this city of so called rude people, actually observes you, just that the DTC buses never gave them an opportunity to show it.
The ride was smooth, on time, and very very comfortable, Despite a big crowd. The air-conditioning provided a respite from the blistering heat outside, and you can immediately see the effects – people are more relaxed.
For the downside from a user point of view:
1. They could do a little better with with cleaning up the station entrances of the dust. It was an eyesore in otherwise world class ride.
2. The usual view of “No inquiries here please” at the ticket counters was a sorry reminder of Indian Railways.
3. There could be guidelines asking people to stand to the right/left when on escalators, so that those in a hurry can pass through easily.
4. Entry and exit to the trains should be more well organized – markers directing people to get in from the sides and letting those getting out, from the center would make it better.
5. Metro could do with a better in train display systems.
6. Volunteers to help old, and disabled people would make it a system thats not jsut modern, but also cares for people.
7. Have more plants.
Despite all this I must say Delhi metro gives a feel of a city growing to world class standards. I hope the experiment done in Delhi, becomes a norm for other cities of India. I have traveled in Taipei MRTS, and Kuala Lumpur LRTS earlier – and the experience was as good if not better, than both of them.
Well done DMRC! and congratulations to everyone involved for doing a job where they have beaten world standards.
Heres more about Delhi Metro from Wikipedia.