Bengaluru: Teen jumps before Metro train, dies; services disrupted

Train services on Purple Line were disrupted between Magadi Road and Challaghatta.

Bengaluru Metro services have been disrupted for more than two hours after a 19-year-old boy jumped before a train at Attiguppe station on the Purple Line on March 21.

Police sources said the victim, Dhruv Thakkar, hailing from Mumbai and a first-year law student at the National Law School of India, died on the spot.

According to BMRCL officials, the incident occurred at 2:10 pm. Trains were running only between Magadi Road and Whitefield, with services disrupted between Magadi Road and Challaghatta. At 4:17pm, BMRCL wrote on X: "The male body, aged around 19 years, was taken to the hospital for post-mortem by the police after the mahazar was conducted. Train operations on the Purple line have resumed after clearance by the police.".

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) executive director (operations) AS Shankar told Moneycontrol. "Thakkar jumped onto the track before the train approached the station. The train ran over him, and two coaches passed over his body. The loco pilot applied sudden brakes, but the train didn't stop immediately, causing his body to be trapped beneath the train. We had to remove it."

Following this incident, officials instructed passengers to disembark from the train, and services during this period were also affected.

Police officials have reached the spot and are investigations are underway.

NLSU to suspend classes

"The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, is deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden and unexpected demise of one of our students, Dhruv Jatin Thakkar. Dhruv was a first-year student of the BA LLB programme and hailed from Mumbai," said Sudhir Krishnaswamy, Vice Chancellor in a statement.

"He was a warm and compassionate person and a bright and diligent student, well-liked by his peers and faculty. The NLS community stands in solidarity with his grieving family and friends in this period of deep sadness. The University staff is working closely with the authorities and extending all support to his family members. We request all members of the community to respect the privacy of the family at this time," Krishnaswamy said.

As a mark of respect, the University will suspend all classes for the remainder of the week. "We request all members of the NLS community to come together for a condolence meeting in the Old Academic Quadrangle at 11 am on Friday, March 22, 2024. The University welfare support service and counseling services are available to anyone in the community who needs to reach out," Krishnaswamy added.

Second death in Bengaluru Metro

While there have been several suicide attempts in the past, this is the second time a person has died after jumping onto the tracks in Bengaluru Metro. In 2012, just 120 days after Metro operations began, a 17-year-old died after jumping in front of a train at MG Road Metro station.

Previous incidents

On January 5 this year, a 23-year-old male passenger jumped in front of an approaching Metro train at Jalahalli Metro station in an alleged suicide bid, disrupting Bengaluru Metro's Green Line (Nagasandra -Silk Institute) services for nearly 50 minutes.

Also, read: 23-year old man jumps before train; Bengaluru Metro's Green Line services disrupted for nearly 50 mins

On January 1, Metro operations were halted for 15 minutes between 6:40 pm and 6:55 pm. This interruption occurred when a woman jumped onto a metro track at Indira Nagar station to retrieve her phone. The woman accidentally dropped her phone onto the track and leaped down to retrieve it. Following this, metro officials switched off the power supply.

Also, read: Bengaluru woman jumps onto metro track to retrieve phone, halts operations

Following these incidents, BMRCL installed safety steel railings at Kempegowda Majestic interchange station.

On March 13, train services were suspended between Mysuru Road and Challaghatta stations on the Purple Line after a man allegedly entered an elevated viaduct, suspected of attempting theft.

Platform Screen Doors 

These incidents have again highlighted the necessity for Platform Screen Doors (PSDs) at Metro stations in Bengaluru. Experts say that PSDs, serving as protective barriers between the platform and the tracks, play a major role in preventing incidents such as suicides and accidental falls onto the tracks.

Synchronised with Metro coach doors, PSDs only open after the train comes to a complete halt. Metro corporations in Delhi and Chennai have already implemented PSDs, particularly at underground stations.

BMRCL officials said they will install PSDs at 12 underground stations along the Pink Line (Kalena Agrahara- Nagawara) as part of Phase 2. This is primarily aimed at reducing air conditioning costs. However, no decision has been taken on the installation of PSDs at existing stations.

(If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or require emotional support, please contact Tele Manas at 14416,  state government's health helpline Arogya Sahayavani (104), Parivarthan (7676 602 602),SAHAI (080 25497777, 9886444075), Sa-Mudra Yuva Helpline (9880396331) )