Kolkata Metro Green Line Faces Service Disruption After Spark Incident
A technical malfunction in the platform screen doors at Mahakaran station on Kolkata's Green Line metro triggered a spark and brief panic among passengers on Tuesday morning. The incident led to a nearly hour-long suspension of services on the Howrah-bound line, causing inconvenience to commuters during peak hours.
Incident Details and Immediate Response
According to Metro Railway officials, the issue occurred when a train arrived at Mahakaran station, and the platform screen doors opened. A spark was observed, followed by a rubber fender catching fire near the down platform. As a precautionary measure, the third line supplying electricity to the metro was immediately switched off to prevent further hazards.
Services on the Howrah-bound line were interrupted from 11:44 am to 12:37 pm, while Kolkata-bound commuters on the Sector V-bound services remained unaffected. The fire was quickly extinguished, and an investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the malfunction.
Passenger Experiences and Historical Context
Pranab Chakraborty, a resident of Tollygunge who was traveling to catch a train, described the confusion during the halt. "When services stopped, no one seemed to know when they would resume. So, I walked out and took a bus to Howrah station," he said, highlighting the lack of immediate information provided to passengers.
A metro staff member noted that while signal-related issues have occurred on the Green Line in the past, this incident was unprecedented. "The Howrah-bound train had stopped as usual, and the PSD opened along with the rake's doors. But then there was a flash and we could see the insulator burning," the staff member explained, emphasizing the unusual nature of the event.
Investigation and Future Precautions
The Metro Railway has issued a statement confirming that the matter is under investigation to pinpoint the exact cause. Authorities are reviewing safety protocols and maintenance procedures for platform screen doors to prevent similar incidents in the future. This disruption underscores the need for robust infrastructure and timely communication during emergencies in public transit systems.
