Kolkata Metro Disruption Halts Maidan — A major technical glitch disrupted services along Kolkata Metro’s North-South corridor on Saturday afternoon, causing widespread inconvenience to thousands of commuters. The fault occurred between Jatin Das Park and Netaji Bhavan stations, leading to a temporary suspension of services in the Maidan–Tollygunge stretch at a time when the city was grappling with heavy rainfall.
The Breakdown: What Happened
The disruption began around 3:30 PM, when a Dakshineswar-bound train developed a fault and came to a sudden halt at Jatin Das Park station. Following protocol, power to the third rail in the affected section was cut off to allow technical teams to inspect the problem safely.
As a result, metro services were suspended between Maidan and Tollygunge (Mahanayak Uttam Kumar), while limited operations continued on both ends of the corridor — from Dakshineswar to Maidan and Tollygunge to Kavi Subhash.
The issue was rectified and full services resumed by 4:40 PM, but not before causing over an hour of confusion and frustration for commuters during a rainy weekend.
Commuter Inconvenience and Frustration
Passengers at key stations including Rabindra Sadan, Kalighat, and Netaji Bhavan were seen standing in long queues with little information about the disruption. As train movement came to a halt in the affected section:
- Several passengers were forced to exit mid-journey and seek alternative modes of transport.
- Local buses and auto-rickshaws became overcrowded, while ride-hailing app prices surged.
- The downpour added to the discomfort, particularly for office-goers and students returning home.
“It was raining heavily, and I was completely unaware of the service halt. There were no clear announcements or helpline updates,” said a commuter from Rashbehari.
Technical Fault: What Went Wrong?
While Metro Railway officials are yet to publish a formal technical bulletin, preliminary assessments indicate the issue stemmed from a fault in the third rail segment that supplies power to trains. The problem likely involved either:
- A malfunction in the track’s power distribution components, or
- A fault in the train’s electrical system itself, triggering an emergency stop.
In such cases, Metro protocol requires shutting off the third rail power supply to avoid electrical hazards during inspection.
The halted train was checked and cleared by metro technicians, after which normal power supply was restored and full service resumed.
Kolkata Metro Disruption Halts Maidan: Safety Protocols Followed
Kolkata Metro followed safety measures aligned with the Ministry of Railways guidelines:
- Power Cut in the affected section to prevent accidents.
- Manual inspection of third rail and onboard components.
- Gradual service restoration once full clearance was obtained.
No passenger injuries or accidents were reported. However, the lack of real-time communication left many commuters agitated.
The Larger Problem: Recurring Disruptions
This incident highlights a broader issue with the aging infrastructure of the North–South corridor, which is over four decades old. Several recurring faults have been reported in the same zone in recent years, especially around stations like Jatin Das Park, Kalighat, and Tollygunge.
Key concerns include:
- Outdated third-rail system, which is prone to voltage trips.
- Inadequate predictive maintenance, leading to unexpected faults.
- Delayed information dissemination, increasing passenger panic during breakdowns.
Recommendations and Next Steps
To prevent such disruptions and improve commuter trust, several steps are being recommended by urban transport experts:
1. Predictive Maintenance Technology
- Use real-time monitoring sensors to detect wear and tear in rails, cables, and insulators.
- Introduce AI-based diagnostics for early warnings.
2. Integrated Communication System
- Install display boards at stations with real-time updates.
- Push alerts via the Metro Railway mobile app and public address systems.
3. Rain Preparedness Plan
- Maintain higher alert levels during monsoon to handle surge loads and weather-related stress on infrastructure.
4. Passenger Support Teams
- Deploy helpdesk volunteers during disruptions to guide passengers, especially seniors and students.
Importance of the North-South Corridor
The North–South corridor (Dakshineswar to Kavi Subhash) is Kolkata’s oldest and most heavily used metro route. On average, the corridor carries over 7 lakh passengers per day, linking vital residential, business, and cultural zones like:
- Esplanade
- Kalighat
- Tollygunge
- Park Street
- Dum Dum
Disruptions to this line create citywide ripple effects in traffic, productivity, and economic activity.
What Officials Say
Metro authorities stated that the issue was addressed quickly and assured that routine inspections would be increased in the affected zone. An internal review is expected to be conducted by the Kolkata Metro Electrical Maintenance Division, in line with the safety protocols of the Indian Railways.
External Government Resources
To follow updates or register grievances related to Kolkata Metro, commuters may refer to:
- Kolkata Metro Railway – Official Site
- Ministry of Railways, Government of India
- Urban Transport Initiatives – Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
- National Disaster Management Authority – Urban Rail Safety
Conclusion
Though resolved within an hour, the disruption between Maidan and Tollygunge exposed persistent vulnerabilities in Kolkata’s metro network. As ridership continues to grow, the focus must now shift from reactive repairs to proactive maintenance, smart communication, and passenger-first policies.
Kolkata’s metro is the lifeline of the city — and its reliability, especially during extreme weather, needs to match the expectations of a 21st-century urban transit system.
Also read: Home | Channel 6 Network – Latest News, Breaking Updates: Politics, Business, Tech & More
