Passengers travelling in a metro train, including the loco pilot, headed to Mysore Road station on Sunday morning were in for a shock when the train stopped suddenly in the middle of the underground tunnel, barely 150 metres from the Sir M. Visvesvaraya station. For, 12 days after it conducted its first mock drill on the newly opened underground section of the Purple Line, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) was conducting another mock drill, this time without informing in advance the passengers, loco pilots and even the station staff.
The drill began with a remote command issued from the control room to the train, which halted on the tracks. An announcement was then made to the loco pilot to stand by for instructions. The loco pilots of other moving trains were asked to take their train back to the nearest station and wait.
“Even the driver and the station staff were unaware of the fact that this was a mock drill. We wanted to keep it that way in order to have the element of surprise and see how they react. Senior officials were manning the control room and were present at the station to oversee the entire drill,” said U.A. Vasanth Rao, spokesman of BMRCL.
All the 257 passengers were evacuated and taken to the nearest station, where they were informed about the drill. The method of evacuation was similar to the first mock drill; the passengers were asked to exit from one door of the coach, step on to a platform and enter the walkway. From here, they had to walk to a cross-passage to the neighbouring tunnel, where they boarded another train that was waiting and resumed their journey.
During this period, trains were held up at other stations from 11.15 a.m. to 11.50 a.m. They all resumed normal service within two minutes after the passengers reached the station at 11.50 a.m. The evacuated passengers left for their destination at 11.56 a.m.
“It went off successfully. Yes, trains were halted at all stations for 35 minutes. The passengers were calm. These drills help us test our preparedness for emergencies,” Mr. Rao said.
TESTING TIME
11.07 a.m.: Train from Baiyappanahalli to Mysore Road is halted in the underground section, about 150 metres from Sir M. Visvesvaraya station.
11.14 a.m.: The train is declared ‘sick’ by the control room; emergency evacuation procedure begins.
11.15 a.m.: All moving trains are sent back to the nearest station; power to the third rail is cut.
11.28 a.m.: Ramp is placed to help the passengers on to the underground walkway. They enter adjoining tunnel and board another train.
11.48 a.m.: The passengers reach Sir M. Visvesvaraya station and are informed that it was a mock drill.
11.50 a.m.: Operations resume on Purple Line.
11.56 a.m.: The passengers continue their journey.
