BENGALURU: A poor man, carrying a head load, was denied entry to board a Namma Metro train by the security personnel at the Rajajinagar Metro station because he was shabbily dressed. The incident occurred last Saturday and in an hour of the report being broadcast on Public TV on Monday, the Namma Metro authorities terminated the services of the security supervisor concerned.
After the man was denied entry, despite having a valid ticket, some other travellers took up the issue with the security staff and insisted that he be allowed on the Metro train. One of the passengers, identified as Karthik C Airani, insisted that he would take the man along. The entire incident was caught on a mobile phone camera and posted on X, tagging the BMRCL. Many X users flooded the comments section, taking the Metro authorities to task.
Speaking to Public TV, Karthik said, “What happened at the Rajajinagar Metro station in humiliating. I spoke to the Metro officials and ensured that he boarded the train and got off wherever he had to. This is a democracy, you can’t judge a person by his clothes. The staff should be trained and sensitised to deal with people. The employee should not be terminated”.
Namma Metro MD Maheshwaran said a thorough investigation would be conducted into the incident. Chief PRO of BMRCL, Yashavanth Chavan said the corporation condemned the incident. “This is inexcusable. As soon as the issue came to our attention, we terminated the services of the security supervisor”, he said. “BMRCL will apologise to the farmer too. If it comes to our attention that he is travelling on the Metro, we will personally apologise to him”, he added.
“Namma Metro is an inclusive public transport. The Rajajinagar incident is probed & the services of the security supervisor is terminated. BMRCL regrets the inconvenience caused to the Passenger”, Namma Metro posted on its official X handle.
Short loop service during peak hour
Namma Metro has introduced short loop train services during morning peak hours between Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Station, Majestic and Garudacharpalya station from February 26.
In a statement, BMRCL said the service will help a large number of commuters bound towards Trinity, Indiranagar, Bennniganahalli and KR Pura Metro station. Trains in this section will be available every three minutes between 8.45 am and 10.20 am on all working days except Saturday, Sunday and general holidays, the statement said.
For the convenience of passengers arriving in the city early in the morning by trains and buses, Namma Metro is starting the first train service from Nadaprabhu Kempegowda (Majestic) station in all directions at 5 am on all days of the week, except Sundays, the BMRCL said.