Only 6 Metro stations in Delhi have automated defibrillators, none at busiest stops

An RTI reply confirmed that automated external defibrillators (AEDs), used to revive people during sudden cardiac arrests, were installed at only six stations in the entire Delhi Metro network. The reply showed that AEDs were available only on the Airport Express Line and that no new installations were made, despite the Delhi High Court issuing directions to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to improve cardiac emergency support at stations.

In its latest response, the DMRC stated, “AED machines are available at six Metro stations of the Airport Express Line ie New Delhi, Shivaji Stadium, Dhaula Kuan, Delhi Aerocity, Airport (T-3) and Dwarka Sector-21.”

No other Metro line has AEDs, including high-footfall stations like Rajiv Chowk, Kashmere Gate and Hauz Khas.

Last year, a similar RTI, filed by Dr Aman Kaushik, had revealed the same information. It had showed that the DMRC had no medical units or doctors posted at stations. Kaushik had filed the RTI after witnessing a passenger collapse inside the metro. “There was no trained staff to administer CPR. I revived the patient, but there was no AED machine at the Azadpur station,” he said.

The Delhi High Court had, in May 2023, directed the Delhi Government and the DMRC to explore setting up advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) facilities at the three major interchange stations—Rajiv Chowk, Kashmere Gate and Hauz Khas.

The court noted that space was available at these stations. The Delhi Government had informed the court that ACLS ambulances were stationed at the three locations, but no permanent ACLS units or AED installations were created inside the stations.

The latest RTI reply from the DMRC does not mention any plan to expand the availability of AEDs.