New Delhi:  As Unlock 4 will start in India from September 1, the central government is likely to resume the Delhi metro rail services in a phased manner. According to sources, the government is expected to roll a plan with guidelines to re-start the Delhi metro.

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But schools and colleges will still remain shut and restrictions will remain on crowded places like cinema halls, the sources added. The final call to resume metro services will, however, depend on the state governments. Delhi Metro is likely to start services from September 1, but with extensive restrictions, sources said.

The Centre is likely to give its nod on the recommendation of chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, who had said that the metro serves should be resumed on a trial basis as the Covid-19 situation was improving in the city.

"I have requested the Centre that Delhi should be treated differently. Corona situation is improving in Delhi. If they do not want to run Metro trains in other cities, let it be so. But, in Delhi Metro train services should be started in a phased manner on a trial basis. We have raised this issue before the Centre many times, I hope the Centre will soon take a decision in this regard," he had said on Sunday.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation too had said that it is all set to resume the services and was just awaiting government nod.

"The DMRC shall be prepared to commence operations whenever directed by the government. All necessary guidelines in place to combat the spread of the COVID 19 virus shall be implemented and all efforts shall be made to make travel safe for our valued commuters," DMRC executive director Anuj Dayal said.

The Centre's reasoning was that flight and train services have resumed which requires passengers to be inside a train or plane for hours. In comparison, the longest metro journey cannot stretch for more than two hours and is possible if all the safety measures are maintained.

Metro services were suspended in late March to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus, which has infected more than 31 lakh people in the country so far. The services may be allowed when the 'Unlock 4' phase in the graded reopening from the coronavirus-induced lockdown will begin.