Travellers taking the Delhi Metro from select stations will no longer be allowed to carry large bags as part of a trial run, officials said. They added that the authorities had restricted luggage size in view of security considerations.
The Delhi Metro has fixed steel frames at x-ray baggage scanning machines at five large stations — Chandni Chowk, Anand Vihar, Shahdara, Kashmere Gate and Barakhamba Road. The frames state that passengers “can carry a maximum luggage limit of length 60 cm, width 45 cm and height 25 cm”. The maximum luggage weight of a single bag has been capped at 15 kg. The steel frames have been mounted externally and can be detached if the trial run proves unsuccessful.
Sabotage, terror threats
A senior Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officer said the measure will be implemented at all stations once feedback is compiled and analysed. The trial run has been initiated as heavy bags and luggage make it difficult for x-ray screeners to scrupulously check the contents of bags against sabotage and terror threats, and also lead to breakdown of scanners, the officer said.
“Heavy and very heavy bags lead to two problems. At big and inter-change stations like Chandni Chowk and Kashmere Gate, the baggage line is so engaged that it is very hard to concentrate on all contents of a bag. This is a possible security scare,” another officer said.
The second reason, he said, is that x-ray machines breakdown quite often and require frequent servicing.
“At such times, jawans have to scan bags manually and that is, once again, a security scare. One miss and the results can be disastrous,” he added.
‘Major ramifications’
Hence, the officer said, it has been decided to conduct a trial run done to assess if restricting the dimensions and weight of bags will help ease the situation, ensure there is no compromise on security and determine how x-ray machines function.
Commuter Akash Bajaj said, “This step will have major ramifications as passengers travelling to the airport, railway stations or ISBT bus terminuses will not be able to travel on the metro with large bags. This will cause problems and force them to use other modes of transport to reach their destinations. Also, the trial run should be advertised widely so that people rushing to these locations are well informed.”
