BMRCL to install plaform screen doors to prevent suicides

BENGALURU: With Namma Metro becoming the preferred choice of commute for lakhs of Bengalureans, as they don’t have to bother about traffic congestion and saves time, people committing suicide on the Metro tracks has become a matter of concern for the authorities. Of late, there has been an increase in cases of people jumping in front of moving metro trains. This leads to disruption in Metro services and causes inconvenience to passengers.

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has taken many measures to prevent suicides. The metro authorities increased manpower and installed barricades at crowded stations. However, these measures have not been effective in preventing suicide cases.

Now, the metro authorities are planning to install Platform Screen Doors (PSD) at all stations. The BMRCL officials have stated that they are working to find a solution to this problem.

Yashavanth Chavan, Chief Public Relations Officer, said that tenders have been invited for the installation of PSDs on the Nagavara-Gottigere line, which is currently under construction. However, installing PSDs on the existing metro line is a technical challenge, and each station requires a minimum of Rs 10 crore. The BMRCL is working to overcome these challenges and ensure passenger safety, he said.

Meetings are being held by senior officers to discuss the installation of PSDs except during operational hours, so that it should not be disrupt services, Chavan added.