Technical Snag Disrupts Bengaluru Metro Purple Line
A technical glitch on Bengaluru Metro's Purple Line on June 23 caused significant delays and overcrowding at stations, affecting thousands of commuters during peak hours. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) confirmed that the snag occurred around 9:30 AM, leading to trains running at reduced speeds and longer waiting times.
Impact on Commuters
Passengers reported waiting for up to 20-30 minutes at key stations like Majestic, MG Road, and Baiyappanahalli. The disruption led to packed trains and platforms, with many commuters opting for alternative transport. "I waited for 25 minutes at MG Road station, and the train was so crowded I couldn't board," said Ravi Kumar, a regular commuter. BMRCL officials deployed additional staff to manage the situation and announced the snag was resolved by 11:00 AM.
Restoration and Normalcy
BMRCL's chief public relations officer stated that the technical issue was identified and rectified within 90 minutes. "Our teams worked swiftly to fix the problem, and services resumed normal operations by late morning," he added. The Purple Line, which connects Whitefield to Challaghatta, is one of the busiest corridors in the network, carrying over 200,000 passengers daily.
Past Incidents and Infrastructure
This is not the first time the Purple Line has faced technical issues. In April, a similar snag caused delays for over an hour. The BMRCL has been upgrading signaling systems to improve reliability. The line, spanning 43.5 km, is part of Phase 2 expansion. Commuters have urged the metro authorities to ensure better maintenance to avoid recurring disruptions.
