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The Metro Railway is planning to install a new anti-drag technology on all its trains to prevent passengers from being dragged by closing doors. This step comes after tragic accidents, including one at Park Street station in Kolkata in 2019, where a man lost his life, and another in Delhi
in 2023, where a woman died after her sari got caught in the doors.
Testing of Anti-Drag System
After the Delhi Metro incident, authorities began working on improving passenger safety. The anti-drag system has already been tested in Delhi, and the Kolkata Metro plans to retrofit existing trains with this technology. The first set of upgraded trains is expected to be ready for the Blue Line by July next year. A railway official explained that if any part of a passenger's clothing or belongings gets stuck in the door and the train starts moving, the system will detect the resistance and automatically apply emergency brakes, stopping the train immediately.
How Will the Anti-Drag System Benefit People?
According to a Metro Railway spokesperson, the Railway Board has approved the project, and a tender will be issued soon. The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) has also been asked to include the anti-drag feature in all new trains that come with the communications-based train control system (CBTC). These safety features will be introduced in phases across all Metro lines. The new system, developed by a German company, will be installed in existing trains by their engineers. It was also showcased at a recent industrial fair in Delhi. Currently, Metro trains use sensor-based systems that prevent doors from closing if something is stuck, but they cannot stop a moving train if a person is trapped outside. The new anti-drag technology aims to close this safety gap and prevent future accidents, ensuring safer travel for all passengers.
