Platforms at 3 more Metro stations get safety barricades

Bengaluru: BMRCL has installed steel barricades at three more Metro stations after previously securing two others that witness high daily footfall. With another station set to get the safety barrier, the city will have six stations with platforms equipped with railings meant to streamline queues and prevent passengers from falling onto tracks. Previously, barricades were installed at Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Interchange at Majestic and R V Road Metro stations. Of the four new ones, Indiranagar, K R Pura and Benniganahalli Metro stations have got the barriers, barring M G Road, officials said.
Nadaprabhu Kempegowda station sees over 2.5 lakh commuters using the four platforms of Purple and Green lines daily, the highest, followed by R V Road station with over 55,000 commuters. Benniganahalli handles about 48,609 passengers daily, Indiranagar 42,605, and K R Pura and M G Road around 35,000. BMRCL's chief PRO B L Yeshwanth Chavan said, "Barricades were installed for safety and to maintain queues. Depending on requirement, barricades will be installed at other stations too." The move comes in the wake of multiple incidents involving individuals attempting to jump onto the tracks, resulting in fatalities in some cases.Commuters have also long demanded platform screen doors (PSDs) as a more robust safety solution. But, BMRCL has maintained that PSDs weren't part of the plan for operational lines and would be considered in upcoming phases, citing high installation costs and operational challenges.The city's Metro network spans 96km with 83 operational stations. Rajneesh T, a commuter, said, "At several stations, there is hardly any space on the platform during peak hours. People struggle to board the train and Metro staff also find it difficult to manage the crowd. The problem is worse at Majestic. Instead of steel barricades, BMRCL should opt for PSDs, which open only after train arrives."