Metro operations on Bengaluru’s Purple Line were temporarily halted on Friday morning after a 38-year-old man died by suicide at Kengeri station, authorities confirmed. The incident caused disruption for commuters on the busy line, with services resuming only after police completed preliminary investigations and cleared the tracks for operations.

According to the South West division police, the deceased, a resident of Vijayapura district, allegedly jumped onto the metro tracks around 8:00 am as a train arriving from Challaghatta approached the platform. Despite the train operator’s immediate response, the vehicle could not be stopped in time, resulting in a fatality. The sudden incident forced the metro authorities to suspend train operations between Mysuru Road and Challaghatta, affecting a large number of daily commuters.

Officials identified the individual through an Aadhaar card found at the scene. The body was subsequently transported to Victoria Hospital for post-mortem procedures. South West Deputy Commissioner of Police Anitha Haddannavar said, “The incident occurred at around 8:15 am, and the Metro service was halted till 9:40 am. We have registered a case of unnatural death and launched a detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.”

During the suspension, Namma Metro issued alerts informing passengers that trains would operate only up to Mysuru Road while police and emergency teams attended to the scene at Kengeri station. Commuters were advised to make alternate arrangements, and the metro authority apologized for the inconvenience caused by the temporary service disruption.

The alert issued shortly before 9 am noted, “Train services are temporarily suspended between Mysuru Road and Challaghatta due to an incident at Kengeri station. Services will resume as soon as possible. Passengers are requested to cooperate and plan travel accordingly.” By 9:40 am, full operations between Jnanabharathi and Challaghatta resumed, with metro officials ensuring that safety protocols were in place and normal train schedules restored.

While such incidents are rare, they underscore the vulnerability of urban transit systems to unforeseen emergencies and the importance of rapid response protocols. Namma Metro has previously highlighted its emergency preparedness measures, including coordination with local police, medical teams, and on-site station staff to quickly manage incidents and minimize disruption for commuters.

The Kengeri station incident has prompted discussions on commuter safety and preventive measures. Experts suggest that while metros are designed with safety systems and emergency alarms, mental health and public awareness programs play a crucial role in preventing suicides on transit networks. Authorities are expected to review the circumstances and assess whether additional preventive measures or warning systems are needed to enhance safety on the Purple Line and other parts of the Namma Metro network.

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