Another suicide attempt in Kolkata Metro, services disrupted for 45 minutes

Kolkata’s Blue Line metro came to a sudden halt today afternoon when a passenger jumped onto the down line at Mahatma Gandhi Road station around 3:31 pm, triggering an emergency rescue causing thousands of commuters into problem. As per reports, the victim passenger suddenly jumped on the tracks just when the train entered the station however it is not yet known about the victim's update. Metro authorities has taken a power block for rescue purpose and truncated services operated between Dumdum-Dakshineswar and Maidan-Shahid Khudiram stations respectively. Long queues formed at every station, with frustrated commuters stuck on platforms and inside trains. The crowd then further chose local transport or app-bikes and cabs to reach their destinations due to this uncertain disruption.

Services returned to normalcy 45 minutes later around 4.15 pm. Incidents of suicide or attempted suicide in the metro are not new. To prevent it, several measures have been taken by the metro authorities with various awareness campaigns are being conducted. Gates have also been installed at the stations on the new lines. But even then, today's incident is a stark reminder and proof that suicides could not be prevented. This comes amid rising concerns, as similar attempts have plagued the system repeatedly, despite efforts like awareness posters and platform screen doors.

Over the past five years, suicides on Kolkata Metro have steadily increased, with Ministry of Railways data showing just one in 2020, none in 2021, five in 2022, four incidents in 2023, a high of seven in 2024 last year, and already two in the first two months (January and February) of this year. Even two days back on 20th November, a man attempted suicide by jumping in front of a moving train at Netaji (Kudghat) Metro Station. Commuters urging better prevention. Authorities have ramped up campaigns with motivational posters and helpline numbers, but daily commuters claims more needs to be done—like full CCTV monitoring and counseling kiosks—to stop these tragedies and minimize service hits that affect the entire city.