Drunk man runs through Metro rail track in Kochi, interrupts services for 50 minutes

KOCHI:  Making a mockery of the high-end security systems in place at Metro rail stations, a man in an inebriated state got down and ran through the tracks between Palarivattom and Changampuzha station on Tuesday evening, causing a service interruption for over 50 minutes. However, the timely intervention of the Metro staff, who switched off the power supply, prevented any untoward incidents. According to the Palarivattom police, the accused is Ali Akbar, 33, a native of Malappuram. As per the Metro Rail Act, no person in an inebriated state will be issued tickets and the Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) will look into the issue to assess the security breach, if any.

“We will ask for an explanation from the Metro Special Police. Based on that, steps for a department-level inquiry will be initiated,” said KMRL Managing Director Mohammed Haneesh. The accused was later taken into custody by the Palarivattom Police. A case was registered against him on the basis of the Metro Rail Act, as per the complaint filed by KMRL authorities.

The offence could get a jail term of four years under the Metro Act. According to witnesses, the incident took place around 4.15 pm. The man, who was in an inebriated condition, jumped onto the metro tracks at the Palarivattom station and ran a distance of about 200 meters towards the Changampuzha station. “Luckily no train was approaching the station when the incident took place.

As soon as he jumped onto the tracks, the security officials switched off the power lines to avoid electrocution from the third traction. Despite this, he was refusing to come out and was taken out after being chased for a distance of around 200 meters along the track,” according to sources. Getting down on the metro tracks is a dangerous affair as the third rail is energised with highly hazardous 750 volt DC supply.