New Delhi: As if the technical glitches were not causing enough headaches for the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), the state-of-the-art transport system was in for some simian trouble on the morning of June 1.
It was 10:15 am and a train going towards Dilshad Garden had just arrived at Rithala, terminal station of the Rithala-Dilshad Garden line.
As soon as passengers started boarding the train, somebody spotted a monkey entering one of the coupes. "The animal caused a flutter among passengers with everybody running helter-skelter," confirmed a Metro official, requesting anonymity.
However, the official said the simian did not attack anybody. "One of the passengers also tried to lure it outside with a biscuit. But it did not come out of the train. Finally, the CISF personnel were called in," said the official.
At the time of the incident, there were only 50 odd passengers inside the train, as Rithala is the last station of the line. "The CISF officials tried to shoo it away. But when they failed, passengers were asked to vacate the train. Later, somebody came up with 'chanas' and spread them on the floor of the train near a door. The monkey took the bait and came out of the train," the official said.
As soon as the animal was out, the driver closed the doors and took the train away. Later, another train was arranged to take the passengers.
Due to the stand-off, Metro services on the line were delayed by 15 minutes.