On Tuesday morning, a Chennai Metro Blue Line train reportedly stalled inside the underground tunnel between Central and High Court metro stations due to a technical fault, possibly a momentary power outage.
Over 100 passengers, including women and elderly commuters, were evacuated and had to walk nearly 500 metres through the dark subway tunnel to reach the High Court station.
Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) swiftly intervened to assist passengers and restored services soon after, expressing regret for the disruption and ensuring normal operations resumed on the Blue and Green Lines.
Chennai Metro Stalled
The train was travelling from Chennai International Airport towards Wimco Nagar when the incident occurred about 500 metres from the Central Railway Station stretch. Passengers reported the lights went off suddenly, plunging the coaches into darkness and causing panic.
For nearly ten minutes, commuters were trapped without clear information until an onboard announcement instructed them to evacuate. Staff and technical teams promptly arrived to guide passengers safely along the emergency walkway beside the tracks inside the tunnel.
The evacuees, including office workers, students, women, and elderly, carefully walked the distance under emergency lighting with support from metro personnel.
Official Response and Service Restoration
Chennai Metro Rail Limited confirmed the disruption was caused by a technical snag, likely linked to a brief power failure. Technical teams quickly addressed the issue, and train services on the Blue Line were restored by around 6:20 AM.
Additionally, the Green Line running between Puratchi Thalaivar Dr M.G. Ramachandran Central Metro and St Thomas Mount stations continued normal operation. CMRL issued a statement apologising for the inconvenience caused to passengers and affirming their commitment to passenger safety and operational reliability.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This incident highlights the critical need for robust safety protocols and clear communication in urban transit systems. While technical glitches are sometimes unavoidable, the manner in which authorities handle emergencies can significantly impact commuter trust and safety.
The Logical Indian urges metro officials to enhance preventive maintenance, improve emergency response measures, and regularly inform passengers during disruptions to reduce anxiety and confusion.
The community’s resilience, shown by passengers supporting each other during evacuation, reflects the importance of empathy and calm in challenging situations.
