Bengaluru: Operations at Cubbon Park Metro Station were disrupted for nearly four hours on Monday morning after a sudden power failure forced authorities to temporarily shut the station. According to Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited, trains on the Purple Line continued to run but did not halt at the affected station during the outage.
The disruption lasted from around 7 am to 11 am, coinciding with peak morning hours and causing inconvenience to daily commuters travelling through the central business district.
Station closed due to safety concerns
BMRCL stated that the power failure primarily affected lighting systems within the station, making it unsafe for passenger movement and operations. As a precautionary measure, the station was temporarily closed, and trains were instructed to skip the stop.
“Due to power failure, trains will not stop at Cubbon Park Metro Station. The station is temporarily closed. Commuters are requested to plan their travel accordingly,” BMRCL said in a public advisory.
Despite the station closure, metro services on the Purple Line continued without interruption, ensuring that the overall network remained functional.
Power supply details and investigation
Officials confirmed that the station receives electricity from the Baiyappanahalli 66KV/33KV substation, which plays a crucial role in supplying and converting high-voltage power for metro operations along the corridor.
Bangalore Electricity Supply Company clarified that the outage was linked to this supply system. However, the exact cause of the disruption is yet to be determined, and investigations are underway to identify the source of the failure.
A senior BMRCL official stated that teams are examining technical aspects to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Commuters face inconvenience
The temporary shutdown led to significant inconvenience for passengers, especially office-goers who rely on the metro for daily travel. With Cubbon Park station being a key stop near important government offices and commercial establishments, many commuters had to adjust their routes at short notice.
Passengers were advised to use nearby stations and alternative transport options until normal operations resumed. Some commuters reported delays and crowding at adjacent stations as a result of the sudden closure.
Restoration of services
Power supply was restored around 11 am, following which normal operations resumed at the station. Trains began halting as usual, and passenger movement gradually returned to normal.
Officials said that safety protocols were followed before reopening the station to ensure that all systems were functioning properly.
Conclusion
The temporary closure of Cubbon Park Metro Station highlights the critical role of uninterrupted power supply in maintaining urban transport systems. While services were restored within hours, the incident underscores the need for robust backup systems to minimise disruption, especially during peak travel periods in a city like Bengaluru.