With clever wordplay on digital media usage, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has asked passengers to ‘STOP making reels’, ‘Don’t PLAY loud music on metro premises’ and ‘PAUSE to let passengers deboard first’. These messages have been displayed on the platforms and courses of metro stations in recent months, the aim being to disseminate information in a creative and witty manner to educate train passengers.
The move came after many videos were circulated on social media in the past few months and feedback received by DMRC that some passengers played social media content that was not appropriate in public places, thus causing discomfort to fellow travellers.
Apart from displaying messages at metro stations, DMRC has been running campaigns on social media to guide commuters, especially those who created reels inside the metro trains and in the process inconveniencing fellow commuters. One of the instruction campaigns is titled ‘Metro mein travel karen, trouble nahi’ and aims to promote responsible behaviour. It garnered around 21 lakh responses and engagements on social media.
A Delhi Metro official said, “So long as the message is a positive one, there is no problem with reels. However, if they give society the wrong message, it is a bother for us. An official cannot be present everywhere, but we have surveillance and try to stop mischief-makers. We have CCTV coverage everywhere. Sometimes we ignore objectionable videos because intervention will give undue publicity to their creators, whose objective of drawing attention would be met then.”
After a spate of videos of Delhi Metro were widely shared on social media platforms, DMRC has appealed to commuters to inform them if they see any nuisance in the metro rather than making videos of the situations and posting them online. “Commuters should inform the train operator if they spot anything objectionable or a nuisance in the train. Security or DMRC staff at the next arriving station will immediately take necessary action,” said the official. “They can also directly inform station staff or security staff at stations if they observe something at the station.” ‘
The official added that passengers could also seek assistance at the 155370 helpline number. He said DMRC also had flying squads operating from time to time to deter and counsel people and penalise them, if required.
Metro Police also inform DMRC about reels to be investigated if any of them created a nuisance. “Metro Police sends us requests to preserve CCTV footage of trains for analysis as and when any incident of viral reels comes to their notice,” said the official.
DMRC now makes announcements in the trains and displays messages asking people not to play loud music. Some passengers claim that people often play loud social media content causing discomfort to others. “People watch the content on their phones and don’t use earphones. However, due to loud dialogues or abusive content, fellow passengers can sometimes feel uncomfortable,” said Manisha Dabral Malkoti, a regular passenger.
