Cubbon Park Metro door snag causes delays, marking 21st breakdown since January

On Thursday, a technical snag at the Cubbon Park Metro station on the Purple Line caused service disruptions and delayed five subsequent trains. The incident marks the 21st reported breakdown of the Namma Metro system since January 2024, occurring just days after a major Tuesday disruption on a train traveling from Whitefield towards Challaghatta.

According to Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) Chief Public Relations Officer BL Yashavanth Chavan, the Thursday delay occurred because a train’s doors failed to close properly due to a technical issue. As a precautionary safety measure, passengers were safely deboarded at the Cubbon Park station. The evacuation process took approximately 17 minutes, causing temporary delays for five subsequent train services.

The breakdown is the third major operational failure near Cubbon Park in less than two months, following a power failure on May 4 and the disruption on Tuesday. Tuesday’s incident occurred near the transition point between the elevated and underground sections. Preliminary investigations pointed to damage in the third-rail power supply system, which affected the train’s current collection equipment and caused a loss of power.

The recurring failures have sparked criticism from public representatives and commuters. Bengaluru South MP Tejaswi Surya raised concerns over the network's reliability, noting that BMRCL charges high fares. Surya stated he has written to the Commissioner of Railway Safety (Southern Circle) to request an official inquiry. He demanded that BMRCL make public its maintenance records, inspection reports, and audit findings from the last 12 months.

Bengaluru Central MP PC Mohan echoed these concerns, stating that the recurring disruptions on the Purple Line indicate systemic and administrative failures rather than isolated glitches. He urged BMRCL to conduct a comprehensive technical audit and permanently rectify signalling and operational issues.

Commuters also criticized BMRCL's communication gaps during the disruptions. Many passengers reported learning about the delays only after arriving at crowded stations. Regular commuter Sandeep Kumar highlighted the lack of alternative transit options, pointing out the absence of contingency arrangements when the metro system fails. During Tuesday's breakdown, stranded commuters were forced to rely on overcrowded buses, private vehicles, and even tractors and trucks to reach their destinations.