Snag knocks out Dwarka line in rush hour

NEW DELHI: Thousands of commuters on Metro's Blue line-Noida to Dwarka-had a harrowing time during Wednesday evening's rush hour as train services were stopped due to an electrical problem. Metro officials said an emergency shutdown on the entire line became necessary as the overhead wiring got entangled in a train's pantograph-the arm-like device on the roof that draws power from overhead cables-near Indraprastha Metro station.
Commuters stuck on the stranded train were evacuated through emergency doors and walked 150 metres on the elevated track to reach the station. "It was the most horrible experience of my life," said Suman Saxena, a passenger. "We were stuck inside the train for more than 25 minutes while the air conditioning was only partially functional."
The problem was reported at 5.56pm. "A train going towards Dwarka came to a halt 150m before Indraprastha station as the overhead wiring got entangled with its pantograph. The maintenance group rushed to the spot and evacuation was completed within 25-30 minutes," said the DMRC spokesperson. However, services remained suspended between Yamuna Bank and Barakhamba stations till about 7.30pm.
"Stations between Yamuna Bank and Barakhamba Road-Indraprastha, Pragati Maidan and Mandi House-were shut down. Train services were available in loops from Dwarka to Barakhamba and Yamuna Bank to Noida/Vaishali," an official said. But the shutdown's effect was felt even at Noida Sector 18 and Rajiv Chowk stations.
Ajay Kumar (33), an employee of Canara Bank who was going to Noida, said, "There was a huge crowd at Rajiv Chowk station. I waited for more than 30 minutes before walking to Pragati Maidan station and waiting there till the services resumed".
Heavy traffic in the area due to the IPL match at Ferozeshah Kotla also made commuting by road difficult. "I could not find an auto to go home so I had to wait," said Yashpal Singh, who lives in Dwarka. This was the second major snag on the blue line this year.