

NEW DELHI: A day after a labourer died and two others were injured at a construction site in Rohini, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation ( DMRC ) was in the news again for providing rooms to couples looking for privacy. The incident came to light when Zee News, in a sting operation, showed how rooms inside stations were being rented out to couples on an hourly basis.

The sting CD showed a toilet cleaning staff member demanding Rs 500 from a reporter who posed as a customer asking for space in the station's washroom for him and his woman friend. The attendants then revealed that rooms inside the station could be rented for Rs 300-500 per hour. The sting operation was reportedly carried out at several Delhi Metro stations including Race Course, Paschim Vihar, Ashok Park, Green Park and Madipur.

Delhi Metro spokesman Anuj Dayal said, "The CD has been handed over to DMRC's chief security commissioner for investigations. Stern action will be taken against those involved in anything like this. The washrooms at the Delhi Metro stations are maintained and managed by private operators." Interestingly, the sting operation also showed attendants making claims of providing the couples with space in the station's operations areas, which cannot be accessed by the public. It is only accessed by the Delhi Metro and CISF staff.

When asked how these rooms could be accessed by outsiders, the Delhi Metro officials said that these areas are under CCTV surveillance and the movements are usually monitored. The sting operation has also highlighted the lax security inside metro stations, admitted officials. These areas, which are supposed to be monitored by both the Delhi Metro and CISF staff, are high security. "Non-authorized personnel are not allowed in these areas. It is difficult to explain how these couples were allowed to access the rooms," admitted an official.

Officials of the CISF, responsible for security at Metro stations, said the matter should be investigated.