Indian Railways News => Topic started by riteshexpert on Jan 31, 2013 - 08:00:09 AM


Title - Metro commuters, cops at loggerheads over liquor ban
Posted by : riteshexpert on Jan 31, 2013 - 08:00:09 AM

Inadequate publicity regarding the ban on carrying liquor bottles and objects such as toy guns as well as pets and birds in Metro trains is causing altercations between the law enforcement agency and commuters.The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) had notified the new directive on January 4 and it became effective from the following day. The ruling also bans drunk persons from travelling in Metros. However, commuters are unaware about the new rule and this has caused fights between passengers and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel at several stations.Passengers carrying the banned items are not allowed to board the Metros.The CISF has blamed DMRC for not putting up signboards and banners informing people about the new regulation.On Wednesday, when HT visited five Metro stations in Gurgaon, the CISF staff shared their grievances about altercations with commuters due to the ban.  “People argue and fight with us because we don’t allow them to carry sealed liquor bottles on Metro trains. They also try to bribe us for letting them in,” said a CISF personnel.A CISF sub-inspector told HT, “People hide liquor miniatures bottles in their garments but are caught during checking.” A large number of commuters have also expressed resentment over the move.“Parties are held at MNCs after work where people consume liquor. We should not suffer due to the ban,” said Prayag Basu, vice-president with a telecom company.

Major Sutiksham Malik, another commuter, said, “There should be a provision for defence personnel to carry liquor. We are not aware of the new regulation in Metro trains.”

On the other hand, a DMRC spokesperson told HT that they were preparing signboards and the same would be installed in about 15 days.

“We have nearly 140 stations in Delhi and NCR. We have posted the new notification on our website. Signboards will be installed at all stations soon. We have also pasted copies of the notification on the metal detectors at some stations,” he added.