BMRCL Plans Rs 1274 Crore Platform Screen Doors After Rajajinagar Metro Track Intrusion

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has proposed a Rs 1,274 crore project to install Platform Screen Doors (PSDs) at 177 stations across Bengaluru, following a track intrusion at Rajajinagar Metro Station on July 4. The latest incident involved a woman who jumped onto the tracks, causing a 10-minute disruption on the Green Line before security personnel rescued her.

The proposed safety barriers aim to address a rising number of track intrusions. Between 2023 and 2025, the Namma Metro network recorded 13 suicide attempts, three fatalities, 20 unauthorised track intrusions, and four accidental falls. In 2024, BMRCL recorded eight cases of unauthorised track entry, seven deaths by suicide, two suicide attempts, and two accidental falls. For 2025, records show five cases of unauthorised track entry, five deaths by suicide, two suicide attempts, and one case of electrocution.

Several other stations have experienced major disruptions due to track intrusions. A suicide at Kengeri Station involving a 38-year-old man disrupted train services for over 80 minutes. At Majestic Station, a 40-year-old man survived with injuries after jumping onto the tracks, suspending services for 30 minutes. Another rescue occurred at Jalahalli Station when home guards activated the Emergency Stop Plunger to save a former Air Force employee.

Currently, only six high-footfall stations, including Majestic and RV Road interchange stations, have protective safety barriers. Under the new plan, 12 underground stations on the Pink Line and two on the Blue Line will receive PSDs. The remaining 177 stations will be equipped with the doors once the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Phase 3A is approved.

The Rs 1,274 crore budget includes Rs 747 crore for procuring the platform screen doors, Rs 317 crore for civil works, and Rs 210 crore for signalling, telecom, and electrical upgrades. Elevated stations are expected to receive half-height screen doors, while underground stations will get full-height doors.

According to a BMRCL official, the installation process must be carried out during non-operational hours to avoid disrupting daily commutes. Each station is expected to require approximately three hours of work.