BENGALURU: THE suicide of Vishnu Sharan is still fresh in the minds of many Bengalureans, who saw the 16-year-old jump to his death at the MG Road metro station in 2012.
Experts had then suggested the installation of Platform Screen Doors (PSD), but due to funds crunch this was not included in Phase-1 of Namma Metro. However, the concept designs of Metro’s Phase-2 include PSDs.
These are tall doors that act as partition between the platforms and track area, which open and close only when a train arrives or departs. These PSDs are installed to eliminate suicides and prevent accidents that may arise due to heavy passenger movement.
Traffic expert M N Sreehari, who had been advocating for platform screen door installation even before the Metro became functional, says, “When they are spending over `15,000 crore for Phase-1, there is no reason why they cannot invest another `10 crore for passenger safety. They cited cost as an issue every time I have spoken about it.”
A BMRCL source said, “Consultants have been working on the concept designs and they have included PSDs for Phase-2 as an important feature, especially for the underground stretch. Once the designs are ready, the tenders will be called. The PSDs can be used as a way to generate revenue by using LCD display panels for advertisements.”
Other useful inclusions
Phase-2 will also have more public utility space — the space to walk will be increased by reducing the space taken up by the system, thereby optimising the station areas. This is in response to the criticism by many that platforms at majority of the stations under Phase-1 are inadequate to handle big crowds.
Island platforms came in for severe criticism as there is a fear they will not serve their purpose when the crowd increases manifold once the North-South corridor is also functional.
This is not all, tunnels in the underground section of Phase 2 will be larger than those of Phase-1. This will increase the walkway inside the tunnel.
A BMRCL source said, “The tunnels will be slightly bigger. This has been done with the aim to give more space for walkways for passengers to get out of the train in emergency situations.”