Namma Metro plans to install platform screen doors at all stations

BENGALURU: Namma Metro has become so popular that even a small disruption in services creates big news. On the other hand, Namma Metro has got the stigma of being a ‘suicide spot’ because of people who attempt suicide by jumping on to the metro tracks. To permanently free it from that, BMRCL is now preparing to install Platform Screen Doors (PSDs).

There have been several incidents where some people attempted suicide and died after falling o nto the metro tracks. Along with that, there are also many examples of people accidentally falling on to the tracks.

When someone falls on to the metro tracks, either for suicide or accidentally, not only is the person who fell affected, but the service has to be stopped temporarily. This creates a lot of problems for metro passengers as well. To put a permanent stop to this, and to ensure the safety of metro passengers and smooth metro operations, Namma Metro has now planned to install Platform Screen Doors (PSD) at all stations.

In the first phase, BMRCL has already submitted a detailed report to the central government to install PSDs at all metro stations of Phase 3A, where construction is currently under way. By installing these kinds of doors at metro stations, BMRCL is moving forward to ensure passenger safety. The BMRCL has sent a DPR with an estimated cost of Rs 1,273.83 crore to the Centre to install PSDs at all 176 metro stations of Namma Metro.The Central and State Governments have already given the green signal to install PSD doors at 14 stations where construction is already in progress, chief PRO Yashavanth Chavan said.

For the remaining 176 metro stations, the state government has given the green signal to install PSD doors, and after approval from the central government, PSD installation will begin. BMRCL said that installing PSDs at stations where commercial operations are already on will take more time. The work will have to be done after metro services end, i.e., at night, so that passengers are not inconvenienced. Preparations are also being made for that, Chavan added.