Man found dead in Kokata Metro’s underground tunnel; electrocution suspected

Quick Summary

• An unidentified man, aged between 25 to 30 years, was found dead in an underground tunnel connecting Esplanade and park Street stations of the Kolkata Metro early Friday morning.
• The body was discovered around 1:30 am next to the up-line tracks by metro staff performing maintenance work.
• Kolkata Police have registered an unnatural death case at New Market police station and are working to ascertain the man’s identity.
• Initial observations indicate a burn injury on the victim’s right wrist, with reports suggesting electrocution as the possible cause of death.
• The body was removed around 7 am and sent for post-mortem at a state-run medical college and hospital.
• Security footage is being reviewed as authorities seek to determine how he entered the secured tunnel without being detected by security personnel or CCTV cameras.

!Kolkata metro Train
Kolkata: A metro train and an Eastern Railways local train cross each other (PTI FILE PHOTO)

Indian Opinion analysis

This incident raises pressing concerns about operational security in one of India’s oldest metro systems, known for serving millions daily in Kolkata. Despite having security personnel on duty and CCTV coverage at vital points, an apparent lapse has allowed unauthorized entry into high-risk areas such as underground tunnels-a potentially dangerous breach that could have broader implications if not addressed promptly.

The possibility of electrocution highlights safety risks inherent within India’s metro infrastructure where strict compliance with safety protocols is essential for public confidence. Beyond resolving this specific case, it may become necessary for Kolkata Metro authorities to review their surveillance systems thoroughly while strengthening preventive measures against such occurrences in future.

Efficiently closing these loopholes will be crucial in setting higher benchmarks for both security and passenger safety across urban transit systems nationwide.

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