A 21-year-old man, Hemanth Kumar, caused a brief yet significant disruption on Bengaluru’s Namma Metro Purple Line by triggering the Emergency Traction System (ETS) at the MG Road station. This action halted power supply to the third rail system, suspending metro services for around 10 minutes.
The Incident
The incident occurred at approximately 4:20 PM when Hemanth, a resident of Viveknagar, allegedly pulled the ETS switch “for fun.” The ETS is a critical safety feature that halts train operations by cutting off power to the tracks, often used during emergencies or maintenance work. In this case, the young man pressed the button without any genuine emergency, leading to a temporary suspension of services on the affected stretch.
Metro authorities reported that after pulling the ETS switch, Hemanth remained at the station for 10 minutes while services were disrupted, before boarding the next train to Cubbon Park station along with other passengers. During this time, security personnel at the MG Road station reviewed surveillance footage, quickly identifying him as the individual responsible for triggering the ETS.
The Aftermath
Once Hemanth arrived at Cubbon Park station, security personnel apprehended him. When confronted, he admitted to pulling the ETS button as a prank. His actions, however, caused significant inconvenience to fellow passengers, as metro services were disrupted during peak hours. Namma Metro is a vital mode of transportation in Bengaluru, serving nearly 8 lakh commuters daily, and even minor delays can result in widespread inconvenience.
According to metro rules, anyone responsible for such disruptions is subject to a fine. Hemanth was fined ₹5,000 for his actions. Unable to pay the fine on the spot, his parents were called, and they later arrived at the station to settle the penalty.
Security Measures and Response
The quick identification and apprehension of Hemanth underscore the effectiveness of Bengaluru Metro’s security systems, particularly the surveillance cameras placed at all metro stations. The footage provided metro officials with the information they needed to track the offender and take appropriate action swiftly.
Authorities emphasised that this prank, though seemingly harmless to Hemanth, disrupted metro operations and caused delays for several passengers, especially during a critical time of day. The Metro system has a strict protocol for handling ETS activations, which includes assessing the situation and resuming services only after safety checks are completed. This process inevitably takes time, as metro staff must ensure that no actual emergency persists before restoring power to the tracks.
What is ETS?
The Emergency Traction System (ETS) is a safety mechanism in metro systems designed to cut off the DC traction power supply in case of emergencies or during maintenance operations. ETS is typically activated when metro personnel or security staff encounter situations where passenger safety is at risk, such as when someone falls onto the tracks, attempts suicide, or tries to retrieve objects from the tracks.
This system allows metro staff to halt power and prevent potential accidents while they address the issue on the tracks. A notable instance occurred last month at Byappanahalli station, where ETS was activated after a four-year-old boy accidentally fell onto the tracks. The system’s activation in such scenarios is a vital part of metro safety protocols, preventing harm to passengers.
However, in Hemanth’s case, the activation of ETS was not warranted and served only to disrupt the smooth functioning of the metro system. His misuse of this critical system highlighted the need for greater public awareness about the serious consequences of tampering with safety mechanisms.
Conclusion
Hemanth’s prank serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible behaviour in public spaces, especially within systems as crucial as urban public transport. The disruption caused by the misuse of safety equipment like the ETS can have far-reaching consequences for the city’s commuters. While the young man’s act may have seemed trivial to him, the resulting delays and inconvenience affected numerous passengers.
Bengaluru Metro authorities have taken this incident as an opportunity to remind the public about the importance of adhering to safety guidelines and refraining from tampering with essential systems. With nearly 8 lakh passengers relying on Namma Metro every day, ensuring the smooth operation of services remains a top priority, and any actions that jeopardise this will be dealt with seriously.