Bangalore Metro witnessed its first tragedy with 17-year-old Vishnu Sharan jumping to his death at the MG Road station.
Bangalore Metro witnessed its first tragedy with 17-year-old Vishnu Sharan jumping to his death at the MG Road station.
This has opened the eyes of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) to make the system safer for commuters.
When Metro Rail was being designed in Bangalore, one question that came up was: How will the safety of commuters be ensured on Metro platforms, considering that the tracks are electrified?
Also, there were very few guards and a yellow line to keep them from stepping on to the tracks.
Inadequate no. of guards
Four-and-a-half months after the Metro’s launch, it now emerges that the safety standards are not up to the mark. If Vishnu Sharan could jump in the path of the Metro seconds before it pulled up at the MG Road Station despite the yellow line warning being in place, it is evident that stationing three security guards on the platform is a grossly inadequate measure.
“We take our children along with us on Metro rides, but it is not safe for them. If they fall accidentally, who is responsible?” said B Narayana, who witnessed Vishnu’s fatal leap.
One argument is that Monday’s incident is an isolated one. But with the guards spread out, there would be little that one can do if anybody charges towards the tracks. Several commuters who witnessed the tragic incident were quick to suggest that BMRCL should install platform screen doors. These are protective doors fixed on the platforms and correspond to the doors on the train compartments. These do not open until the train comes to a halt at the station.
At Indian Metro stations, these could be helpful, considering the crowds waiting for the trains.
Interestingly, BMRCL chief public relations officer BYL Chavan said:
“Nowhere in the world are Metro stations installed with platform screen doors. Besides, it is not possible for us to put platform screen doors.”
But in January 2011, Kolkata Metro Rail platforms were equipped with platform screen doors to prevent people from either falling on to the tracks or attempting suicides like Vishnu did on Monday evening.
In fact, platform screen doors are common in most countries.
However, ruling out plans to install such doors at Metro stations, Chavan said:
“We are indeed looking at what can be done for everybody’s safety at the Metro stations in the coming days.”
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