Delhi govt issues notice asking DMRC to prohibit passengers from carrying matchboxes and lighters in metro

Now Delhites have strictly been prohibited to carry matchboxes and lighters in metro trains and on station premises as the Delhi government on Sunday has issued a strict compliance notice to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) regarding the same.

The government has taken such a major step as allowing lighter or match boxes during metro journey is another way to promote smoking in congested and public places. 

Earlier, in January the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation had decided to taken off lighters and matchboxes from the list of restricted items in metros or on station. A commuter is now allowed to carry one matchbox and one lighter in metro trains and on station premises.

Dr S K Arora, Additional Director (Health), Delhi, said the government had written to the DMRC that carrying a matchbox or lighter is a violation of Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places Rule, 2008 under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA).

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"Allowing lighter or matchbox promotes smoking directly or indirectly. Despite writing to them in the past, we have not yet received a report on action taken," Arora was quoted as saying while interacting with PTI.

"A strict compliance notice has been issued to the DMRC under Section 4 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, asking it to stop allowing matchboxes and lighters in metro trains and on station premises or legal action will be initiated against it and the erring commuters", he stated further.

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(With PTI inputs)