MPs hop on to Bengaluru metro during rush hour to undergo commuter woes first-hand: Report

During a peak-hour metro ride, MPs PC Mohan and LS Tejasvi Surya highlighted severe overcrowding and safety concerns on Bengaluru’s metro system.

Published on: Sep 4, 2024, 17:45:19 IST

By Yamini C S

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Amidst persistent disruptions and severe crowding on Bengaluru's metro system, MPs PC Mohan and Tejasvi Surya took a peak-hour metro journey on Monday to experience commuter challenges first-hand.

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya interacts with fellow passengers as he rides on a metro train in Bengaluru. (PTI)

Union Minister and Bangalore North MP Shobha Karandlaje also made a brief visit to the KR Pura metro station during this time, the Deccan Herald reported. Traveling from KR Pura to Majestic, the MPs engaged with passengers to gather feedback on how to enhance the Namma Metro experience.

The MPs' presence in the second coach caused a noticeable stir, with heightened security and crowd management issues at several stations, the report noted. Commuters voiced major concerns, particularly about inadequate connectivity between Garudacharpalya and Pattandur Agrahara and confusing signage at the Majestic interchange.

Addressing safety, MP PC Mohan proposed reserving the first two coaches exclusively for women, reflecting on the need for better facilities tailored to their needs.

With Namma Metro experiencing severe overcrowding, especially since the Purple Line opened last October, the current fleet of 57 trains is insufficient, the report added. The demand has been so high that some Green Line trains have been rerouted to the Purple Line.

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is unable to add more trains this year, with new trains expected from 2025. CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co Ltd and Titagarh Rail System Ltd will deliver 21 new trainsets by June 2025, which will boost capacity by about 40 per cent, the publication further stated.

In response to recent incidents and to improve infrastructure, Tejasvi Surya stepped in and announced plans for skywalks and travelators linking Banashankari metro station to BMTC TTMC, funded with ₹50 crore from BBMP. Platform screen doors will be installed at Majestic to enhance safety, and a detailed review of the Yellow Line will be conducted in the coming weeks to optimize the network, the report said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yamini C S
Yamini CS is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times with nearly six years of experience in digital journalism. She is part of the India News desk, where she works on a wide range of stories cutting across civic issues, city-based developments, politics, governance, public policy, breaking news, trending topics, and international affairs that have an impact on India. Her role involves tracking fast-moving developments, verifying information from official and on-ground sources, and presenting news in a clear, accessible format for a digital-first audience. A significant part of her work includes handling live blogs during major news events, such as elections, court verdicts, political developments, civic disruptions, protests, weather-related alerts, and unfolding national or international incidents. Through live coverage, she focuses on timely updates to help readers follow complex stories as they evolve. Before moving to the broader India News desk, Yamini was associated with the Bengaluru desk at Hindustan Times, where she extensively covered urban governance, infrastructure, traffic and transport issues, weather events, public grievances, and civic administration in the city. This experience strengthened her grounding in city reporting and sharpened her focus on citizen-centric journalism. She began her career as a correspondent with Reuters after completing a postgraduate diploma in journalism from the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media. Her early training instilled a strong emphasis on accuracy, sourcing, and news ethics, which continue to shape her reporting style. Outside of work, Yamini enjoys reading across genres, listening to music, and spending time with her family, which help her maintain balance in a fast-paced newsroom environment.Read More

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