A 57-year-old man, identified as Naveen Kumar Arora from Kumaraswamy Layout, tragically died by suicide at Doddakallasandra Station on the Namma Metro Green Line, leading to significant disruptions in metro services. The incident occurred at approximately 5:45 p.m. on Saturday, halting the metro services between Yelachenahalli and Silk Institute stations for several hours. This disruption caused considerable inconvenience to commuters and contributed to severe traffic congestion on Kanakapura Road.
Arora, a businessman who had been facing financial difficulties, was reportedly married with children. Preliminary investigations suggest that his recent financial losses may have contributed to his decision to take his own life.
The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) quickly responded to the incident, informing the public via social media about the service disruption. The BMRCL stated, “A man of 57 years of age has committed suicide by jumping in front of the approaching train at Doddakallasandra Station at 17.45 hrs. The body has been removed by the police and taken to a hospital for post mortem. Further investigation is on.” The halt in metro services led to substantial delays, with some commuters reporting waiting times of up to 19 minutes.
The BMRCL’s communication on social media acknowledged the situation and assured passengers that the authorities were addressing the issue. Despite these assurances, many commuters expressed frustration over the delays and service interruptions, with comments on social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) highlighting their grievances.
In a related incident earlier in the week, a four-year-old boy fell onto the tracks at Byappanahalli metro station while playing with his sibling. Despite his mother’s attempts to rescue him, the child fell but was safely rescued by metro staff and sustained only minor injuries.
The exact reasons behind Naveen Kumar Arora’s drastic action remain unclear. The BMRCL has updated that train services between Yelachenahalli and Silk Institute Stations were suspended as a result of the incident, though other sections of the metro network remained operational.
The suicide at Doddakallasandra Station not only disrupted metro services but also exacerbated traffic congestion on Kanakapura Road. The incident highlights the need for robust emergency response systems and infrastructure improvements to manage such crises effectively.
In addition to this incident, heavy rains recently caused flooding on roads leading to Bengaluru airport, further complicating travel and highlighting the need for better urban infrastructure and preparedness.
This tragic event underscores the critical importance of mental health support and intervention. For you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please seek help from mental health professionals or contact helplines available for support. If you are feeling suicidal or have suicidal thoughts, please know that you are not alone and there is help available. You can call any of the following helpline numbers in India to talk to someone who will listen to you and support you.
1. National Suicide Prevention Helpline: 1800-121-3667. This is a toll-free number that provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones
2. Aasra: 9820466726 : This is a 24/7 helpline that offers non-judgmental and non-critical listening to anyone who needs emotional support
3. iCall: 022-25521111. This is a helpline run by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences that offers professional counselling, information and referrals to anyone in need of mental health care. It operates from Monday to Saturday, 8 am to 10 pm
Please do not hesitate to reach out to any of these helplines if you are feeling suicidal. You are valuable and your life matters.