Namma Metro shut Cubbon Park, Central College stations for safety during Habba

Namma Metro on Sunday said the temporary suspension of train services at Cubbon Park and Central College metro stations during the Freedom Habba celebrations on August 15 was a public safety measure. The Vidhana Soudha station had been closed for passenger entry and exit from 10 am as part of planned crowd management.

However, exceptionally heavy crowds around Vidhana Soudha and a surge in passengers at Cubbon Park and Central College led to rapid crowd build-up. In consultation with traffic and crowd authorities, train stoppages at the two stations were suspended between 7.21 pm and 9.57 pm to regulate inflow. Metro services continued running through the section, picking up passengers already on platforms.

Commuters holding tickets for the affected stations were allowed to exit at MG Road or Majestic without extra fare. The stations reopened at 9.57 pm, and Vidhana Soudha reopened after 10.05 pm. BMRCL said the experience will help crowd-management plans for future events.