Wearing masks and the use of smart cards have been made mandatory for travelling in the Delhi Metro, which resumes services next month after a five-month hiatus.

The new guidelines issued by the Delhi government on Sunday listed severe restrictions, including a ban on tokens, and limiting the number of passengers in each coach. The authorities, however, have not shared any figures in this regard. Delhi Transport minister Kailash Gahlot said the air conditioning system will be "renovated" to ensure circulation of fresh air inside coaches.

NDTV quoted the minister saying, "We will renovate the air conditioning system in such a way that ensures that maximum fresh air comes in. We are yet to take a decision about what should be the optimum temperature inside the metro trains."

The minister also said that trains will not stop at all metro stations and there are plans to open stations in phases - social distancing, thermal checking, and proviing hand sanitiser will be maintaines across stations.

"The token system will be completely shut because it can increase the spread (of coronavirus). Moreover, it won't be possible to sanitise a token every time. People will use smart cards or other recharge mediums to travel," Gahlot said.

"All stations will not be opened. Those in containment zones will remain shut. Other than those, there are more stations which will remain shut, the list for the same will be prepared and people will be informed about it," he further informed.