Kolkata Metro stations will have convex mirrors for the train drivers to see the reflection of the entire platform before they start trains. Kolkata Metro Railway’s Kolkata Chief Public Relations Officer, Indrani Banerjee said this today. This will be done immediately.
Senior Metro Railway authorities today conducted a detailed study of trains and platforms in Park Street and Tollygunge stations among others to probe circumstances that led to the death of a 66-year-old passenger, Sajal Kumar Kanjilal, on Saturday evening. Kanjilal’s hand got stuck between the doors of a compartment as he was trying to board a train from Park Street. Metro trains do not leave unless all door are shut completely, and thus the authorities are trying to understand how the system did not function, or whether the system in place is itself faulty.
Commissioner of Railway Safety himself held the inspection throughout the day, and gave instructions on some immediate measures to be taken. “Convex mirrors will be installed on the side of the driving motor man (driver) of the train, so that they can see the entire reflection of the platform before starting the train,” Banerjee said.
Further, announcements on safety measures for passengers will be made regularly in the stations.
Apart from the immediate measures, decisions will be taken on long-term steps following the completion of the probe, she said.
The statements of the driver and others in charge of the train as well as those on supervision of the platform are being taken. A probe is also being conducted by Kolkata Police authorities after family members of Kanjilal lodged a case of death due to negligence against Metro Railway. A case has been started against Metro under IPC sections 30A (causing death by negligence) and 34 (criminal act done by several persons).
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