So far, only Majestic, the newly operational Yellow Line and RV Road Interchange have received similar railings. | Photo credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN
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After yet another fatal incident on the Metro tracks, commuters in Bengaluru are renewing their demand for installation of Platform Screen Doors (PSD) at all Namma Metro stations, a safety feature they believe has now become indispensable. However, officials from the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) says the technology is still difficult to integrate into the existing network due to high cost and complex technical constraints.
The latest incident happened on Friday when a man allegedly jumped onto the tracks at Kengeri station, leading to a major disruption to traffic and the loss of his life. The incident raised ongoing concerns about passenger safety and raised new challenges for physical barriers along the platforms.
Regular metro users said the city’s fast-growing ridership, which averages 10 million a day, makes such security measures inevitable. Ramprasad K., a metro user from Rajajinagar, said that managing crowded platforms is becoming increasingly difficult. “During rush hour, even standing in a queue does not feel safe. Bengaluru Metro needs to make Screen Doors a standard feature on all future routes before making them available to the public,” he said.
Another commuter, Nayana Rao from JP Nagar, pointed out that protecting the platform serves a purpose that goes far beyond improving the design of the station.
“These barriers are necessary not only to avert suicide attempts but also to protect passengers from the dangers of overcrowding. BMRCL should implement them across the network to prevent avoidable incidents and delays,” Ms. Rao said.
Only the interchanges have metal railings
In February 2024, BMRCL installed metal railings along parts of the interchange platforms to restrict access to the track. The company has since been studying the effectiveness of these installations, particularly at high-traffic stations. So far, only Majestic, the newly operational Yellow Line and RV Road Interchange have received similar railings.
Officials said the company has begun integrating PSD into its upcoming expansion projects. Contracts have already been signed for their installation on the Pink Line, Phase 2A Blue Line (Central Silk Board – KR Pura) and Phase 2B of the airport expansion. According to the tender documents, 13 underground stations will receive full-height PSDs, while 37 above-ground or ground-level stations will be equipped with half-height platform barriers.
Why can’t PSD be added to existing lines
High installation costs
Major technical adjustments are necessary
Longer service outages are needed
Phase 1 stations are not intended for PSD systems
Earlier focus on train frequency and staff management
PSDs only have priority for phase 2 and new lines
High costs, technical obstacles block PSD
However, questions remain as to why the network’s older Phase 1 Purple and Green lines were never considered for PSD. BMRCL sources told The Hindu that the early phases of the metro were built on a shoestring budget and focused primarily on basic infrastructure, leaving no room for expensive safety technologies like PSDs. “Retrofitting them now, especially at stations as large and complex as Majestic, would require parts of the network to be shut down for long periods of time, which would seriously affect operations,” the official added.
According to officials, the initial focus was to improve frequency by running trains every three minutes and deploying additional staff for crowd control. PSDs have only recently become a priority, especially for the underground sections of Phase 2.
The PSDs work in sync with the train doors and act as a physical barrier on the tracks.
“Globally, PSDs are considered an essential safety tool. They separate crowds from the tracks, help the signaling system and promote smoother movement of trains. In India, only Delhi and Chennai metros have adopted them so far,” explained another official.
Published – 5 Dec 2025 22:37 IST
