Metro Operations to Resume in a Graded Manner from 07.09.2025
Shri Hardeep Singh Puri Announces SOP Guidelines
Masks Mandatory for Metro Passengers And Staff
Only Asymptomatic Persons to be Allowed
Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) System to be Used
Shri Hardeep S Puri, MoS, (I/C), Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has announced the SOP guidelines for metro operations in a media interaction today. As per MHA order No 40-3/2025-DM-I(A) dated 29.8.2025, metro services will resume from 7th September, 2025 in a graded manner. For this purpose, SOP guidelines have been prepared by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, which have been concurred by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Broad features of the same are as below: –
a. Metro operations to be resumed in graded manner. Metros having more than one line should open different lines staring from 7th September, 2025 onwards in a graded manner so that all corridors become operational by 12th September 2025. Daily hours of operations may be staggered initially, which needs to be increased gradually with resumption of full revenue service by 12th September, 2025. Frequency of trains to be regulated to avoid passenger crowding at stations and in trains.
b. Stations/ entry-exit gates in containment zones to be closed.
c. In order to ensure social distancing, suitable markings at stations and inside trains to be done.
d. Wearing of face mask to be mandatory for all passengers and staff. Metro rail corporations may make arrangements for supply of masks on payment basis to the persons arriving without mask.
e. Only asymptomatic persons to be allowed to travel after thermal screening at entry into the stations. Symptomatic persons should be advised to go to nearby COVID Care Centre/Hospital for testing/medical attention. Use of Aarogya Setu App to be encouraged.
f. Provision of sanitizers to be made at entry into the stations for use by passengers. Sanitization of all areas having human interface viz. equipment, train, working area, lift, escalators, handrail, AFC gate, toilets etc. needs to be done at regular intervals.
g. Use of Smart Card and cashless/online transactions to be encouraged. Tokens and paper slips/ticket to be used with proper sanitization.
h. Adequate dwell time at stations to be provided to enable smooth boarding/deboarding ensuring social distancing. Metro rail corporations may also resort to skipping of stations to ensure proper social distancing.
i. Passengers to be advised to travel with minimum luggage and avoid carrying metallic items for easy and quick scanning.
j. Operation of Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) system as per the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) & Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ISHRAE) guidelines. Intake of fresh air in air-conditioning system to be increased to the extent possible.
k. Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign to be launched for passenger and staff through electronic/print/social media, poster, banner, hoarding, website etc.
l. Metro rail corporations to keep close liaison with state police and local administration for regulating crowd outside station and to deal with contingencies.
Based on above guidelines, Delhi, Noida, Chennai, Kochi, Bangalore, Mumbai Line-1, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Maha Metro (Nagpur) Kolkata, Gujarat and UP Metro (Lucknow) have prepared their SOPs. Government of Maharashtra has decided not to resume operation of metro during September, 2025. Hence, Mumbai Line-1 and Maha Metro operations shall commence from October, 2025 or as State Government may decide further.
Click Here To See PPT
It looks like you’re referencing a claim that metro operations would resume on September 7, 2025 in a graded manner, similar to the phased reopening during the COVID-19 lockdown holds. While this phrasing mirrors the announcements made in 2020, the dates and context suggest it’s outdated.
What Actually Happened in 2025
- During India’s Unlock 4 phase in September 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) allowed metro services across the country to resume starting September 7, with operations gradually ramped up through September 12.
([turn0search0], [turn0search2], [turn0search13]) - These measures included:
- Staggered service hours
- Social distancing protocols
- Mandatory masks and thermal screening
- Contactless payments and smart card usage, among others
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What’s on the Table for 2025?
- As of mid-2025, all major metro systems in India are operating normally without restrictions or phased schedules.
([turn0search15]) - There are no current announcements suggesting a planned resumption or graded roll-out beginning September 7, 2025. The websites referencing this seem outdated or are echoing past guidance without reflective updates.
TL;DR
| Year | Event | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Phased metro resumption from September 7 under Unlock 4 | Verified by MHA & national media |
| 2025 | No such resumption planned or applicable | Metros are fully operational |
If you were looking for current updates on operating hours, new expansions, or policies across metro systems in India, I’d be happy to help track down that info. Just let me know which city or metro line you’re interested in—I’ll dig deeper!