Bengaluru: A passenger’s attempt to retrieve a token that fell onto the tracks brought Namma Metro’s Purple Line services to a temporary halt during peak hours Friday morning, disrupting operations for around 18 minutes and affecting commuters on both Purple and Green lines.The incident occurred around 9.22am when a token accidentally slipped from the pocket of a passenger and fell onto the tracks. Instead of alerting Metro staff, the passenger got down onto the tracks to retrieve it. Alert security personnel immediately activated the Emergency Trip System (ETS) and Emergency Stop Plunger (ESP), cutting off power supply to the third rail to prevent any mishap.The passenger was safely rescued, but train services on the Purple Line were delayed by around 10 minutes. A few trains on the Green Line were also regulated to prevent overcrowding at Kempegowda Majestic interchange station. Normal services on both lines resumed at 9.40am, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) said.A senior police officer said the passenger, identified as Ravikanth, a man in his 20s from Bihar, who works as a helper in interior works, told police that he had accidentally dropped the token and got down to retrieve it. “There was no other motive behind his action,” the officer said.Namma Metro officials said it is prohibited for passengers to enter the tracks to retrieve fallen belongings, including mobile phones, keys or tokens. Commuters are required to alert security personnel, who will arrange to retrieve the objects after taking necessary safety precautions.Under amendments to the Metro Railways (Operations and Maintenance) Act, 2002, through the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026, unlawful entry onto Metro tracks can attract a penalty of up to Rs 20,000. However, the provisions of hefty penalties appear to have done little to prevent such incidents. At least three cases of people illegally entering Metro tracks, including suspected suicide attempts, have been reported in the past two months.Commuters have repeatedly called for platform screen doors (PSDs) to prevent people from accessing the tracks. However, despite recurring incidents, including suicide attempts and accidental falls, BMRCL has no immediate plans to install PSDs, citing high costs and operational challenges.
