Bengaluru Metro skips stops after crowd crush on Independence Day

Bengaluru Metro shut three Purple Line stations for several hours on Saturday evening after a crowd surge near Vidhana Soudha during Freedom Habba celebrations for Independence Day 2026 raised safety concerns. A BMRCL official said the operations wing took the decision due to heavy crowding.

Sir M Visvesvaraya Central College and Cubbon Park stations were closed around 7pm, with trains skipping both. Dr BR Ambedkar Vidhana Soudha station had been closed since 10.30am following authorities' directions. All three reopened around 10pm.

The closures caused difficulties for commuters travelling to and from Vidhana Soudha. MG Road station also saw heavy footfall, making access to platforms difficult, while MG Road and Nadaprabhu Kempegowda stations continued normal operations. Cultural programmes and public activities continued through the evening.