Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), in coordination with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), has rolled out a new “priority frisking” facility across all stations in the city.
The initiative will ensure quicker and more dignified security clearance for passengers belonging to special categories, such as persons with disabilities (PwDs), senior citizens, pregnant women, women travelling with infants, and individuals with visible injuries. This policy marks a significant step forward in integrating sensitivity into urban mobility services. The new measure is expected to ease the congestion at frisking zones during peak hours and reduce the physical strain and wait times for vulnerable groups. Signages directing special category passengers to designated frisking lanes have already been installed at all metro entry points.
According to officials, the objective behind this initiative is not only to improve operational efficiency but also to build a system that caters to the specific needs of passengers who may find regular security procedures exhausting, inaccessible, or time-consuming. The DMRC’s decision has been guided by principles of equity and empathy, and aims to transform the perception of public transport from being purely functional to user-centric. The initiative was launched following close collaboration between DMRC and CISF, the agency responsible for the security of Delhi Metro premises. Officials stated that specific guidelines have been issued to all station staff and CISF personnel to ensure that the new frisking process is implemented smoothly and respectfully. Staff have been sensitised to prioritise these passengers and help them navigate security checks with minimal delay and discomfort.
Metro authorities clarified that while priority access will be extended to passengers in the aforementioned categories, CISF personnel may, in case of ambiguity, request supporting documents such as medical certificates or age-related identification. However, officials also stressed that the emphasis will remain on trust, discretion, and a humane approach in the execution of this policy. This effort to reconfigure security protocols for greater inclusivity also speaks to a broader vision of sustainable and equitable urban transport systems. With Delhi Metro catering to over six million commuters daily, the prioritisation of at-risk and mobility-challenged individuals demonstrates a larger commitment to social sustainability in city planning.
Experts in urban mobility welcomed the move, stating that while infrastructure expansion and technological upgrades are vital, attention to user dignity is equally important. They observed that inclusive design — especially in systems as vast and complex as metro networks — must go beyond physical accessibility to include operational and procedural reforms. By creating a fast-track entry mechanism for vulnerable travellers, Delhi Metro has underscored the importance of equitable service delivery. This is not the first time that DMRC has attempted to humanise the travel experience. Over the years, the corporation has rolled out various initiatives such as dedicated spaces for women, tactile flooring for the visually impaired, and multilingual signage. The current policy further reinforces Delhi Metro’s aspiration to become a model for inclusive urban mobility not just in India, but globally.
What sets this initiative apart is its potential scalability. As India’s urban centres grow and grapple with increasing demand for accessible transport, Delhi’s priority frisking model could well become a blueprint for metros in other cities. Such interventions, though seemingly minor in scale, can have a major impact on restoring the dignity of public space and travel for those often left at the margins. Metro commuters have already begun to notice the changes at several stations, especially during rush hours, when queues at frisking points can become long and chaotic. Passengers from the special categories expressed relief and appreciation for being able to access a dedicated channel without having to assert themselves or request assistance.
Civic organisations and advocacy groups for people with disabilities also welcomed the decision, urging that such systems must remain dynamic, constantly open to feedback and improvement. They noted that as infrastructure becomes smarter, its ethical and social inclusivity must evolve in tandem. In a city as dynamic and diverse as Delhi, public transport remains a lifeline for many. Making this system more respectful of human limitations and more attuned to passenger dignity is not just a policy decision — it is a cultural shift. By mainstreaming sensitivity into security, Delhi Metro is showing that operational efficiency and human compassion need not be mutually exclusive.
While the long-term success of this initiative will depend on consistent implementation and the behaviour of on-ground personnel, its very introduction signals a step in the right direction. It aligns with the city’s aspirations of building infrastructure that is not only efficient and eco-friendly but also inclusive and empathetic. As Indian cities move towards smarter and greener transit systems, such people-centric measures must become the norm rather than the exception. In reimagining its security processes, Delhi Metro has taken a small but meaningful step towards a more humane and equitable urban future.
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