New Delhi: A passenger died on Saturday after his hand got stuck between the doors of a metro train at a station in Kolkata.
The deceased, identified as 56-year-old Sajal Kumar Kanjilal, was declared brought dead to the nearby SSKM hospital.
The incident occurred at the Park Street station when the train started moving even as the man tried to board it, but failed to get in fully due to a heavy rush of passengers.
"There has been an unfortunate incident at the Park Street station at 6.42 pm. While boarding a Kabi Subhash-bound train, a passenger's hand got stuck between the doors," a Metro Railway spokesperson said. "General manager, Metro, PC Sharma, has ordered a high-level inquiry to look into the possible causes of the lapse, including why the sensors of the door did not function."
The train was immediately stopped and its power supply switched off. The passengers were evacuated, the spokesperson added.
Kanjilal had only managed to get his hand inside the compartment when the doors closed, and his hand got stuck. To the horror of onlookers, the train started moving towards Maidan station with his body hanging outside. After the train had moved some distance, he fell down in the tunnel.
Soon after the train started moving, there was a burning smell and the train came to a halt, said a passenger. Eyewitnesses said the victim lay in the tunnel for some time before being removed by security personnel.
Co-passengers alleged that security personnel deployed at the station were busy on their phones and did not pay attention to the crisis underway. Soon after, metro services were suspended for about 45 minutes. Several passengers also assembled at the Park Street station, accusing Metro Railway authorities of mismanagement and demanding action
General Manager (Metro) PC Sharma ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident. A preliminary report suggested that Kanjilal's hand got stuck as the door sensors did not work and the sliding doors failed to automatically open.
Promising all possible help from the state government, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said metro services were the most neglected in the state and no effort was usually taken for maintenance. If needed, her government would also provide a job to a family member of the deceased.
“During our tenure, we brought in new rakes and conducted regular maintenance. But now, no new projects are introduced," she said.
Banerjee also asked state Urban Development Minister and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim to rush to the spot and assure Kanjilal's family of full cooperation from the government.
(With inputs from agencies)
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