Delhi Metro absolutely safe for carrying passengers: DMRC

NEW DELHI: Amid reports that over 50 metro stations in Delhi are located in high seismic zones, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation today said all its structures are designed according to set guidelines to ensure safety during earthquakes.
"The Delhi Metro Rail structures are completely safe in case of any seismic or tectonic activities like earthquakes taking place in Delhi," a DMRC spokesperson said.

The spokesperson maintained that the Metro rail structures have all been designed to handle seismic events corresponding to zone 4 and all Indian codes (IRC:6, BIS:1893, BIS:13920 and RIS codes) which give guidance on designing of structures for earthquakes, and "have been strictly followed in all the structural construction of the Delhi Metro Project".

As per reports, the Global Assessment Report (GAR) released on June 3 by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction says that more than 50 stations under phases I and II are located in areas of high-earthquake hazard, exposing the line to earthquakes of up to a magnitude of 8 on the Richter scale.

"But the same study in its conclusion clearly said that the direct risk to Metro structures and rail line structures have already been addressed and reduced owing to application of risk sensitive building codes," the spokesperson claimed.

"The Metro design engineers have adequately addressed all risks to Metro structures which may happen during an earthquake," the spokesperson said, adding that the structures are absolutely safe for carrying passenger traffic.