Managed to jump into the metro in the nick of time? In a city, where getting stranded for hours together owing to congested traffic is quite the norm, a bevy of Bengalureans can't stop heaving a sigh of relief – the hullabaloo surrounding namma metro, post the completion of the Green Line is real! With reports of over 3 lakh residents having hopped onto the electric train right on DAY 1; needless to say, the coaches were packed to the rafters! But again, despite the arrangement enabling people to take a breather from the rickety roads, majority feel the green line, which is pegged as the answer to reduce bottle-neck traffic, needs to stiffen up the safety measures in multitude ways. City folk give us their inputs on effective measures to abide by...
Akancha Singh, a senior catalog associate believes more prompt checking and monitoring aside, one needs to put more thought into the kinds of bags that one carries, “The ratio of the security to the number of passengers is probably 1:50! Until we increase the security around, there’s a huge probability of things being stolen. Also, I think women should give totes and open bags a break, especially if they’re using a massively populated public transport like the metro. Carry backpacks and pouches over delicate satchels and open shopper bags,” she suggests.
Rule: Bags the buzzword
For author-cum-entrepreneur Sudipto Das, prevention is better than cure. Speaking of the same, he adds, “One thing that needs to be taken into account is handling breakdown in the underground section where ventilation could be a major issue. I’m not sure what all measures have been taken for handing a scenario when the train stops in the tunnel for a while, and there’s no power. Subways should be well-lit for pedestrians, specially women as the metros run quite late. As a rule, always walk towards areas that are well-lit to avoid the snare of miscreants.”
Rule: Women and kids must strategically stand near lit areas
Vishnu Ramakrishnan, a 23-year-old trainee decision scientist opines, “A lot of unnecessary hustling happens because of the lack of strict implementation of a queue culture. Adequate measures need to be taken to educate and inform passengers about the essence of forming a queue! Unless people are fined for bumping in before someone can get out, things won’t change. This is because people believe using their might to barge in works, and it’s time-consuming to let people go. I think the BMRCL needs to barricade the tracks inside the station and have gates positioned only at the doors of the train. ”
Rule: Follow the law of queue!
Parents need to ensure their children have got in or out of the train along with them. The little gap between the train and the platform can be dangerous as children can slip into it. If you have a child or a senior citizen boarding the before you, ensure you offer them adequate support so that they can latch on to the handles or grab rails,” believes Sharmila Aravind, a city-based film maker.
Rule: Mind the gap
I advise everyone to make eye contact with those you are suspicious of. Criminals don’t like being noticed. So, when a miscreant is aware you’ve registered his/her face, they’d never target you. Also, more than a pepper spray, I suggest people to use this intelligent trick to carry a whistle around. On being touched inappropriately, whistle right away. The sound of a whistle is very intimidating, as much as a cops’ siren — to wrong-doers. Lastly, if you wish to retaliate, have the mental fortitude to take a beating. It is two-way,” says AKHILESH KUMAR, founder-instructor, The Combat Guild.
Rule: Be aware and prepared
