BMRCL installs handrail barricades at more high-footfall metro stations

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) has initiated the installation of handrail barricades on platforms astatine respective engaged metro stations, extending the information measurement beyond the already equipped interchange hubs astatine Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Station, Majestic and R.V. Road.

The handrail barricades person precocious been installed astatine Indiranagar, K.R. Pura and Benniganahalli stations, each of which witnesser important regular footfall. The determination follows apprehensions that the contiguous open-platform layout does not sufficiently deter passengers from accidentally stepping oregon falling onto the tracks. These locations were prioritised owed to dense commuter question and interchange postulation betwixt corridors, according to officials.

A elder BMRCL authoritative said, “The installation of the handrail barricades astatine identified high-footfall stations is portion of our ongoing efforts to heighten commuter safety. These railings are intended to usher rider question and trim the hazard of way intrusions. We are continuously assessing station-specific requirements and implementing suitable measures wherever necessary.”

This comes successful the backdrop of respective distressing incidents successful which individuals attempted to entree the tracks, with immoderate cases ending successful fatalities. Such episodes person intensified calls for stronger protective infrastructure astatine the metro stations.

Commuters person been persistently advocating for the instauration of Platform Screen Doors (PSDs) crossed the full Namma Metro network, arguing that the rapidly expanding ridership makes precocious information systems indispensable.

Officials estimation that mean regular patronage has reached astir 10 lakh passengers, resulting successful crowded platforms during highest hours.

Savitha Rao, a regular commuter from Jayanagar, welcomed the installation of barricades but said much broad measures were necessary. “It is simply a affirmative measurement that the BMRCL has added barriers astatine immoderate stations, but ideally they should beryllium contiguous everywhere. During highest hours, platforms are packed and adjacent waiting successful a queue feels risky. The PSDs indispensable go a mandatory diagnostic successful each aboriginal metro corridors earlier they are opened to commuters,” she said.

In February 2024, the BMRCL introduced metallic railings on prime sections of interchange platforms to restrict nonstop entree to the tracks. Since then, the corp has been evaluating their impact, peculiarly astatine stations with precocious rider volumes. While retrofitting the PSDs connected existing corridors poses challenges, the officials confirmed that the exertion was being incorporated into upcoming enlargement projects.

However, the lack of the PSDs connected the older Purple and Green Lines, developed nether Phase 1, continues to gully criticism. Sources said that during the archetypal stages of the metro project, budgetary limitations necessitated a absorption connected indispensable civilian and operational infrastructure, leaving small scope for costly information additions similar the PSDs. Retrofitting specified systems now, peculiarly astatine ample and analyzable hubs similar Majestic, would necessitate prolonged work disruptions, the officials noted.

“In the aboriginal years, precedence was fixed to expanding bid frequence to arsenic debased arsenic three-minute intervals and strengthening on-ground assemblage absorption with further personnel. The accent connected the PSDs has gained momentum lone successful caller years, particularly for underground segments nether the Phase 2,” an authoritative added.