Facing a massive surge in traffic congestion across the National Capital Region (NCR) ahead of the Diwali festival, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Saturday, October 18, announced a special, revised schedule for its train services to facilitate smoother public travel.
The changes primarily affect the start time on Diwali Eve and the closing time on Diwali day.
Early Start on Diwali Eve (Sunday, October 19):
To ease the rush of festive shoppers and commuters, DMRC services on the Pink, Magenta, and Grey Lines will commence an hour earlier than their usual Sunday timing.
- Revised Timing: Metro services on these three lines will start at 6:00 AM on October 19, instead of the standard 7:00 AM Sunday start.
- The early start aims to provide relief as major Delhi roads experience significant traffic jams in the lead-up to the festival of lights.
Earlier Closure on Diwali Day (Monday, October 20):
On Monday, the day of the main Diwali festival, all metro services will operate as per their normal schedule for most of the day. However, the last train from all terminal stations will depart earlier than usual.
- Last Train Departure: The last metro train service from the terminal stations of all Lines, including the Airport Express Line (AEL), will commence at 10:00 PM.
- The DMRC advised commuters to plan their journeys accordingly, noting that the rest of the day will follow routine commencement timings on all lines.
Diwali, one of the most significant festivals in India, is being celebrated on Monday, October 20, this year, marking the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana and ending his 14-year exile. The auspicious Lakshmi Puja Muhurat falls during the evening Pradosh period on the same day.