Mumbai Metro Station’s Stampede-Like Situation Amid Restrictions For PM Modi’s Roadshow (image-X/gopinathvijay91)
While the streets of Mumbai’s Ghatkopar were decorated with posters and cutouts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the region’s metro station witnessed a stampede-like situation with services suspended, leaving commuters in distress.
Ahead of PM Modi’s roadshow, Mumbai Metro One Pvt. Ltd. (MMOPL) suspended train services between Jagruti Nagar and Ghatkopar stations at 6 pm as a preventive measure. However, the move has led to the disruption of the commute of several office-goers, reportedly leaving many without any alternative modes of transportation.
SERVICE UPDATE | Due to security reasons, metro services will be suspended between Jagruti Nagar and Ghatkopar Metro Stations, from 06:00 pm till further notice. Commuters are requested to plan their journey accordingly. Inconvenience is regretted.
— Mumbai Metro (@MumbaiMetro01) May 15, 2024
The authorities at Mumbai Metro reportedly announced the decision to suspend services an hour before implementing it. This has led to several residents of the area criticising the poor management by the authorities.
Sharing videos from the chaotic scene at the station, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi wrote, “PM Modi in Mumbai for campaigning, public services go for a toss for security reasons and has led to creating massive chaos.”
PM Modi in Mumbai for campaigning, public services go for a toss for security reasons and has led to creating massive chaos. pic.twitter.com/RRN4TkkGrf
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) May 15, 2024
Furthermore, the partial suspension of services between key stations disrupted regular commuters’ days. Blockades on streets added to the turmoil among the commuters, preventing them from accessing the roads to return home after work.
Yesterday’s chaos at Ghatkopar station just caused BJP and PM Modi to have rallies in the surrounding area so Mumbai Metro decided to shut their services and pulled the shutter down at Ghatkopar locking in people inside the station which created a major panic situation. pic.twitter.com/1aeQBEcjy9
— Atharva🪷 (@Mercuriall_high) May 16, 2024
Videos of huge crowds struggling to find their way home emerged on social media, with many criticising the lack of management and poor execution of the services. Others suggested that the notice about the suspension of services should have been made a day before so the locals could have prepared accordingly.
Why didn’t you put out this notice yesterday? What about people who are now stranded at Ghatkopar metro station? Who will be responsible if a stampede takes places? #Mumbai #RoadShow #MumbaiMetro pic.twitter.com/Z1N0IhtWsl
— SoVa (@sonalvk) May 15, 2024
Some people criticised the timing of PM Modi’s roadshow when, just two days before, a billboard collapsed in Ghatkopar, killing at least 16 and injuring over 75 people. As a result, cranes and excavators expected to reach the rescue site, where bodies are still buried, have been delayed.
The roadshow is being held from Ghatkopar (West) to Ghatkopar (East) ahead of phase 5 of the Lok Sabha elections, where 13 parliamentary constituencies in Maharashtra are scheduled to go to polls on May 20.
