Kolkata Metro Gears Up for TMC Martyr’s Day Rally 2023: Enhancements in Operations and Security

Kolkata Metro Gears Up for TMC Martyr’s Day Rally 2023: Enhancements in Operations and Security

The Metro Railway has also taken several measures to ensure that train services run smoothly.

As the city of joy, Kolkata braces itself for the Trinamool Congress’s (TMC) annual Martyr’s Day rally on 21st July 2023. Kolkata Metro has significantly scaled up its operations to ensure citizens’ smooth and safe commuting experience. This event, which attracts a massive influx of people from various parts of West Bengal and beyond, necessitates robust transport and security arrangements. Kolkata Metro, one of the major public transport systems in the city, has gone the extra mile to facilitate seamless transit.

Good news for commuters in the metro! To handle the crowd following today’s political event at Esplanade, Kolkata Metro has decided to open additional ticket counters at stations. Due to this, there might be a significant rush on the city’s fast transport system.

The Metro Railway has also taken several measures to ensure that train services run smoothly. These are listed below:

Anticipating a commuter surge, Kolkata Metro has installed additional ticket counters at all major stations, particularly at Esplanade, Maidan, Park Street, and Kalighat, close to the rally’s epicentre. The objective is to alleviate long queues and ensure passengers can buy their tickets efficiently.

The general public and officegoers will likely use Metro services to get to their destinations because there aren’t enough buses on the roads and to avoid traffic bottlenecks. As a result, trains and metro stations may get congested.

The Metro Railway Authority has directed the Railway Protection Force (RPF) to be on guard. The action is to ensure passenger safety and address any unfortunate incident on Metro property. Additionally, the RPF will be stationed in plain clothes at several locations to apprehend criminals.

The metro authority has also boosted the number of customer service personnel at these counters to offer prompt assistance and manage the crowd effectively. Meanwhile, commuters are encouraged to use digital payment options and intelligent cards to minimize transaction times and avoid unnecessary delays.

Kolkata Metro has also increased the frequency of trains to cater to the amplified demand. Special trains will be plying at regular intervals during the peak hours of the rally. These arrangements have accommodated the heightened footfall and provided hassle-free travel to rally attendees and everyday commuters.

To ensure the safety and security of all passengers, Kolkata Metro has put into place rigorous security measures. This includes a heightened presence of security personnel at all metro stations, focusing on the ones near the rally venue. These measures aim to manage the crowd, prevent unruly behaviour, and take immediate action in an emergency.

The Metro Railway has improved its set-up at 13 stations. The North-South Corridor stations include Dakshineswar, Dumdum, Shyambazar, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Chandni Chowk, Esplanade, Park Street, Maidan, Rabindra Sadan, Jatin Das Park, Kalighat, Mahanayak Uttam Kumar, and Kavi Subhash; the East-West Metro Corridor stations include Salt Lake Sector V, Karunamoyee, and Central Park.

Moreover, the security staff have been equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance tools, metal detectors, and sniffer dogs to thoroughly screen passengers and their luggage. Stringent anti-sabotage checks have been introduced to maintain a secure environment within the metro premises.

Kolkata Metro has also upgraded its infrastructure to prepare for the massive rally. More electronic display boards have been installed to provide real-time information about train schedules, delays, and other relevant updates. The stations have also seen a noticeable increase in seating arrangements and amenities such as drinking water and toilets.

One hundred twenty metro workers, including cops and staff, have been stationed in the stations, as mentioned earlier, to guarantee that passengers may move through them without any problems.

To handle any emergency, the Quick Response Teams (QRT) have been stationed at various locations, including within trains. The authorities will conduct sporadic anti-sabotage inspections using sniffer dogs and security tools.

The metro authorities are closely cooperating with local police and traffic departments. Joint control rooms have been set up to monitor the situation in real time and coordinate actions swiftly. A comprehensive traffic management plan has been implemented to minimize the impact on road traffic around metro stations.

Kolkata Metro’s meticulous planning and preparedness demonstrate a commitment to ensuring citizens can participate in the TMC Martyr’s Day rally without facing transportation issues. The scale of arrangements made this year is unprecedented and reflects a robust framework of crowd management, security, and efficient operation of public transport. As the city gears up for the critical day, the enhanced measures by Kolkata Metro are set to provide a safe and smooth commuting experience for all.