Metro rake runs from Dum Dum to Kavi Subhash with door ajar

Kolkata: A packed Kolkata Metro rake ran from Dum Dum to Kavi Subhash with one of its doors ajar on Wednesday. However, three Metro personnel were deployed to guard the passengers at the gate.

The incident took place at 8:24 am, when one of the doors of the rake did not close. "The loco pilot tried to close the door but it didn't close properly," said Kolkata Metro Railway public relations officer Indrani Banerjee.

She reiterated that immediately an announcement was made and RPF personnel were deployed to guard the passengers.

Passengers claimed that Metro services were disrupted for a few minutes. However, there was no loss to the passengers.

According to a Kolkata Metro official, the rake could have been sent to a car shed, but doing so would have inconvenienced commuters during office hours.

At present, there are 284 services including Up and Down rakes between Dum Dum and Kavi Subhash stations, while the number of services between Dum Dum and Noapara has been increased to 107 from 104.

The incident brings back memories of a sexagenarian man who died after being dragged through the tunnel between Park Street and Maidan Metro stations last month.

On July 13, South Kolkata resident Sajal Kanjilal had died when his hand was caught in the door of a Metro rake. According to passengers, Kanjilal was trying desperately to board the overcrowded rake.

Metro Railway has since installed two convex mirrors at the driving motorman's end on both Up and Down platforms at Park Street Metro station. These mirrors will help the driving motorman observe any irregularities happening in the platform while closing the rake doors.

More CCTVs will also be installed at different places, in a bid to ensure security of the passengers.