‘Genuinely cleaner and safer than a lot of Western underground systems’: Foreign tourists reveal what surprised them about Delhi Metro

The Delhi Metro is no secret to the millions of people who use it every day. But for two foreign travellers, their first-hand experience of the network left them impressed enough to compare it favourably with underground transport systems in Western cities.The two women shared a video on Instagram highlighting what stood out to them during their time on the Delhi Metro, particularly the cleanliness, security arrangements and facilities for women.In the caption, shared by Instagram user @nomadiclovers_, they wrote that the Delhi Metro was “genuinely cleaner and safer than a lot of Western underground systems”.One of the first things they noticed was the security at the stations. From baggage scanners and metal detectors to separate queues for women, the travellers said the arrangements made them feel more comfortable.And then there was the air conditioning.“The air conditioning is on the second you step into the station, not just the train,” they wrote, adding that the experience had made them rethink what they would expect from underground stations in hot weather.

The women-only coach stood out

For the travellers, however, the biggest surprise was the women-only coach.They pointed out that the first coach of Delhi Metro trains is reserved for women and is clearly marked with pink signage on the platform.ID@undefined Caption not available.ID@undefined Caption not available.“As two women travelling together, having that option genuinely changed how relaxed we felt during rush hour,” they said.The two acknowledged that some people might find women-only coaches unusual or even extreme. But they argued that the option could make a difference, particularly given concerns around harassment on public transport.“Maybe it sounds extreme to some, but with how often women get harassed on metros across European cities, we don’t think it is,” they wrote.Their comments quickly attracted attention, with several users agreeing with their assessment of the Delhi Metro.One person offered to help the travellers during their stay in Delhi, while another praised the Metro as “secure, clean and fast”.A different user brought up the London Underground, commenting that it should start with having cleaner seats.But there were also some practical observations in the comments.One user warned the travellers about rules around taking photographs and videos inside the Metro and advised them to be discreet. Others shifted the conversation towards India’s comparatively lower cost of living for foreign visitors and questioned how women-only coaches could work in practice.Still, the overall response was largely positive.For two visitors seeing the Delhi Metro through fresh eyes, everyday features such as station security, air conditioning and women-only coaches turned out to be some of the things they remembered most.