Bengaluru's Namma Metro stations to feature platform screen doors

Alstom Transport India has secured the contract for Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling and platform screen doors (PSD) for the upcoming Namma Metro stations in Bengaluru. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) officials have announced that the Pink Line, Blue Line Phase 2A (Central Silk Board-KR Pura), and the elevated airport city station on the Blue Line Phase 2B (KR Pura-airport) will be equipped with platform screen doors. Under the agreement, 13 underground stations will receive full-height Platform Screen Doors (PSDs), while 37 elevated or at-grade stations in the mentioned metro projects will have half-height Platform Screen Gates (PSGs). The contract encompasses the implementation of CBTC signalling, train control systems, and platform screen door/gate systems. As part of the initiative to enhance safety, the installation of platform screen doors is a response to recent incidents, including reported suicide attempts and unauthorised access to electrified metro tracks. In light of these events, BMRCL has decided to install Platform Screen Doors (PSDs) as a preventive measure. The initial installation will take place at Konappana Agrahara station in Electronics City, which is financially supported by Infosys Foundation and is part of the RV Road-Bommasandra Yellow Line. This station is expected to commence operations later this year. The installation of PSDs aims to address the potential dangers posed by the absence of such barriers on the existing metro lines, where the current safety measures rely on guards monitoring platform activities.