Long queues were seen outside key Delhi Metro stations on Monday, PTI reported. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has attributed it to security measures undertaken on Republic Day and COVID-19 guidelines, such as thermal scanning and temperature checks.

“Waiting time at some of the metro stations has increased because of security measures ahead of Republic Day. In addition, COVID-19 prevention measures, such as thermal scanning and temperature checks are already being done at all stations,” the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said in a statement.

“We are intimating passengers about average waiting time at stations for their convenience through social media,” it said, PTI added.

Many commuters took to social media to share photos and videos of serpentine queues outside many stations.

The DMRC has termed it as purely “temporary phenomenon” because of the enhanced security measures. It has sought cooperation of the passengers so that both security measures, as well as COVID protocols, can be properly implemented, it added.

Delhi Metro services are partially curtailed on Tuesday due to security arrangements for Republic Day. Four stations in the vicinity of Rajpath were shut on Tuesday morning. These stations are Central Secretariat, Udyog Bhawan, Patel Chowk and Lok Kalyan Marg.

In addition to that, all metro parking lots have been closed from 6 am on Monday and will remain shut till 2 pm on January 26, the DMRC had said.