Thousands of commuters faced severe disruption on Bengaluru's Namma Metro on Tuesday evening after a power supply snag brought services on the Purple Line to a halt between Indiranagar and Majestic stations. The failure occurred around 5:30 pm, triggering chaos during peak rush hour as trains stalled and passengers were stranded on platforms and inside coaches for up to 40 minutes.
Services Suspended for Hours
The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) confirmed that the power failure affected the overhead traction system, forcing the suspension of train operations on the 12-km stretch between Indiranagar and Majestic. A BMRCL official stated, “We are working to restore full services as soon as possible. Technical teams are on site.” As of 7:30 pm, services had not been restored, leaving thousands of commuters scrambling for alternative transport.
Commuters Describe Ordeal
Passengers took to social media to express frustration. One commuter, Naveen M, posted on X: “Stuck inside a metro train near Trinity station for 30 minutes with no announcements. Complete chaos.” Another passenger reported that security personnel struggled to manage crowds at Majestic station, where long queues formed at bus stops and auto-rickshaw stands.
Impact on Evening Peak Traffic
The disruption exacerbated Bengaluru's already notorious evening traffic congestion. Many commuters opted for buses or app-based cabs, leading to surge pricing and longer wait times. BMRCL deployed additional feeder buses on the affected route, but they were insufficient to handle the sudden influx of passengers. The corporation advised commuters to use alternative routes via the Green Line or BMTC buses.
Previous Technical Glitches
This is not the first time Namma Metro has faced a power-related breakdown. In March 2026, a similar snag on the Purple Line caused delays for over an hour. BMRCL has faced criticism for aging infrastructure and inadequate maintenance. According to a 2025 audit report, the metro system experienced an average of 12 technical failures per month, with power supply issues accounting for 30% of them.
Restoration Efforts Underway
BMRCL engineers worked through the evening to repair the damaged power supply unit. A senior official said, “We have isolated the fault and are replacing the affected components. We expect normal services to resume by late evening.” However, as of 8 pm, the Indiranagar-Majestic section remained closed. Commuters were advised to check BMRCL's official social media handles for real-time updates.
The incident highlights the urgent need for modernisation of Bengaluru's metro infrastructure, which carries over 500,000 passengers daily. The state government has allocated ₹1,200 crore for system upgrades in the 2026-27 budget, but riders say faster action is needed to prevent recurring disruptions.
