Mumbai Metro services halted for 17 minutes after man walks on Blue Line 1 tracks

Metro personnel take Abhinandan Sule to the Azad Nagar station on Wednesday. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Metro Blue Line 1 services ground to a halt for 17 minutes late Wednesday afternoon, after a 24-year-old Vasai resident, Abhinandan Ashok Sule, ventured onto the tracks between the Andheri and Azad Nagar stations.

The intrusion was immediately detected through surveillance systems, prompting station operations and security teams to activate emergency safety measures and safely get hold of Sule. The Andheri police have registered an FIR against the youth under Sections 64 and 67 of the Metro Railways (Operation and Maintenance) Act, 2002.

The incident

Recounting the incident, a police officer said the complainant in the case, Security Supervisor Akash Kondare, reported for duty at 3 pm along with another security supervisor, Shivam Pandey. "Around 3.41 pm, Station Controller Aditya Surendra Parulekar sent Kondare an urgent message via walkie-talkie, informing him that operations had been halted because a person had entered the tracks from platform no. 2 of Andheri station and instructing him to reach the spot immediately."

When Kondare arrived, he saw the alleged trespasser heading toward the Azad Nagar Metro station. Recognising the seriousness of the situation, Parulekar and Maharashtra Security Force guard Vikas Wathar followed the individual onto the tracks while taking necessary safety precautions. Kondare was assigned the task of controlling the crowd on the platform. After nearly 40 minutes, Sule was apprehended at Azad Nagar metro station. He was then brought back to the Andheri Metro station for questioning.

Legal repercussions

Unlawful entry into restricted areas and illegally walking on Metro tracks fall under Section 64 of the Metro Railways (Operation and Maintenance) Act. The penalties include imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of up to R500, or both. Section 67 includes obstructing trains, which fetches up to four years imprisonment and a fine of up to R5000.

The risks

This incident serves as a reminder that unauthorised access to Metro tracks is extremely dangerous and can endanger not only the individual involved but also fellow commuters and Metro operations. While Sule walked on the tracks, he did not face the risk of electrocution as alternating current is transmitted directly to Metro trains via overhead equipment, not through the tracks themselves.

June 17
Day incident occurred

Rs 5000
Maximum fine for obstructing Metro services