Metro Services Disrupted on Purple Line; Stranded Bengaluru Commuters Forced to Hitch Rides on Trucks and Goods Vehicles
Bengaluru, June 23: Thousands of commuters faced severe inconvenience after a major technical fault disrupted services on Bengaluru’s Purple Line Metro during peak evening hours, forcing many stranded passengers to seek alternative transport, including trucks, goods vehicles, buses and autos, to reach their destinations.
The disruption reportedly began around 6:30 PM near Cubbon Park Metro Station, one of the busiest stretches on the Purple Line connecting key parts of the city. Even after more than four-and-a-half hours, restoration work was still underway, causing widespread confusion among passengers.
Passengers Stranded During Peak Hours
The disruption occurred during one of the busiest periods of the day when thousands of office-goers depend on the Metro to return home.
With Metro services suspended and road traffic swelling rapidly, many commuters were seen leaving stations and boarding any available vehicle, including trucks and goods carriers, to continue their journeys.
Visuals from several locations showed passengers crowding roadsides in search of alternative transport as buses, autos and cabs struggled to meet the sudden surge in demand.
Passengers Trapped Inside Train
According to reports, some passengers remained trapped inside a Metro train for nearly 30 minutes after the technical fault occurred.
The train reportedly remained stationary while its doors remained locked. After the situation was assessed, the loco pilot opened the doors and passengers were safely evacuated and guided back to the station.
Several commuters expressed frustration over the delay and lack of clarity regarding service restoration.
Services Affected Near Cubbon Park Stretch
Officials indicated that the technical issue was reported near Cubbon Park Metro Station, affecting operations between key stations including MG Road, Cubbon Park, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Station (Vidhana Soudha), Sir M. Visvesvaraya Station and Majestic.
Metro services continued on certain stretches of the Purple Line, including the MG Road–Whitefield (Kadugodi) section and portions of the Majestic–Challaghatta corridor, while repair work continued on the affected segment.
Several station entrances in the impacted zone were partially closed, with access restricted primarily to technical staff and maintenance personnel carrying electrical equipment required for restoration.
Uncertainty Over Refunds and Service Restoration
Many passengers who had already purchased tickets were left uncertain about refund procedures. BMRCL had not immediately issued detailed information regarding compensation or ticket refunds at the time of the disruption.
Officials focused first on ensuring passenger safety and evacuating those stranded inside trains before concentrating on restoring normal services.
BMRCL Working Through the Night
BMRCL personnel and electrical teams continued repair work late into the night. Arrangements were also made for food and logistical support for maintenance staff working continuously since the disruption began.
As the last scheduled Metro services approached, commuters awaited clarity from BMRCL on whether operations would resume normally overnight or by the following morning.
The incident once again highlighted the heavy dependence of Bengaluru’s daily commuters on the Metro network and the widespread disruption that can result from even a temporary interruption in services.
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