A major disruption on Bengaluru’s Namma Metro Purple Line on Tuesday evening left thousands of commuters stranded, triggering a political war of words over the city’s public transport infrastructure.
The disruption began around 6.30 pm after a metro train developed a technical fault at the underground Cubbon Park station. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) suspended services on the busy underground stretch between MG Road and Magadi Road, while trains continued to operate on either side of the affected section.
The sudden halt caused overcrowding at stations, especially MG Road, forcing many passengers to seek alternative transport. Several commuters were seen climbing onto the back of an open goods truck to reach home, with videos of the incident going viral on social media.
BJP MPs criticise state government
Reacting to the incident, Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya criticised the Congress-led Karnataka government, saying the disruption reflected poor governance despite Bengaluru being home to world-class technology talent.
He said frequent metro breakdowns were becoming a serious concern, adding that every disruption throws the city into chaos as cab fares surge, autorickshaw drivers refuse trips, and thousands of commuters are left stranded.
Bangalore Central MP P C Mohan also expressed concern, urging BMRCL to review its maintenance standards and address recurring technical failures without delay.
Commuters face travel chaos
The disruption placed enormous pressure on Bengaluru’s transport network during peak evening hours. Many commuters struggled to find cabs or autorickshaws, while others were forced to wait for extended periods or arrange alternative modes of transport.
BMRCL is yet to announce the detailed findings of the technical fault. Further updates are expected after officials complete their inspection of the affected train and underground section.