Kolkata, 12 July (H.S.) -
Metro services on Kolkata’s Blue Line were severely disrupted on Saturday after a man attempted suicide at Central metro station, triggering panic among commuters and forcing a temporary shutdown of services in both directions for nearly an hour.
According to Metro Railway officials, the incident occurred at around 11:55 a.m. when a man jumped in front of a train heading towards Dakshineswar. Emergency protocols were immediately activated — power supply to the track was cut off, and rescue operations were launched to save the individual.
As a result, train services on both up and down lines were suspended temporarily. Limited operations were maintained between Girish Park and Dakshineswar, and between Maidan and Kavi Subhash, while services remained fully suspended in other sections of the corridor.
Full services were restored around 12:55 p.m. However, during the hour-long disruption, thousands of commuters at key stations such as Shyambazar, Central, and Shovabazar faced significant inconvenience. Repeated public announcements were made at stations, and many passengers were forced to leave due to prolonged waiting times and lack of clarity.
The incident highlights persistent safety concerns on Kolkata Metro’s Blue Line — the oldest metro line in India — where suicide attempts or fatal incidents have occurred multiple times over the years. Unlike newer metro lines in India, the Blue Line lacks protective barriers or platform screen doors, allowing direct access to the tracks and increasing the risk of such incidents.
This latest disruption follows a series of service interruptions in recent weeks. Just days ago, heavy rains led to waterlogging on the Blue Line, causing hours-long delays and widespread traffic chaos across the city. Notably, a similar suicide attempt was reported shortly after services resumed post the rain-related disruption, raising fresh concerns about commuter safety and mental health awareness in the urban transit system.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
