Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) and the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) have launched a joint suicide-prevention and mental-health awareness campaign at major Namma Metro stations, following a reported rise in suicide attempts, unauthorised track access and accidental falls across the network.
Awareness posters, information boards and helpline details have been installed at stations including Majestic and Cubbon Park, as well as other locations with high passenger footfall. The campaign aims to support passengers experiencing severe emotional distress and encourage them to seek professional help before a crisis escalates.
According to the report by Vijay Karnataka, 59 cases involving people entering Metro tracks were recorded between 2012 and 2025. Of these, 16 were identified as suicide attempts, while five incidents resulted in deaths. The report said incidents involving suicide, attempted suicide, unauthorised access to tracks and accidental falls had increased over the past two years.
The campaign provides information on signs of emotional distress, including anxiety, hopelessness, loneliness and suicidal thoughts. Passengers facing difficulties are being encouraged to speak with a trusted person and seek professional assistance without delay. The Tele-MANAS mental-health helpline number, 14416, is also being displayed at the stations.
The intervention places mental-health messaging within the daily operating environment of the Metro system, where stations combine high passenger volumes, constrained platforms and direct access to rail infrastructure. BMRCL officials said the initiative was being conducted with NIMHANS to help prevent such incidents until additional physical safety measures are introduced.
Platform screen doors are planned for the upcoming Pink Line and are intended to prevent unauthorised access to tracks, accidental falls and suicide attempts. BMRCL has also prepared a proposal estimated at Rs 1,274 crore to install platform screen doors at 177 stations. The report did not specify an implementation schedule for the wider proposal.
The proposed physical barriers would add another layer of protection to station safety, but their rollout will depend on approvals, funding and construction. Until then, the campaign relies on visible information, passenger awareness and access to mental-health support at stations where large numbers of people pass through each day.
Separately, BMRCL is expected to begin work on a travellator and skywalk connecting the Yellow Line and Blue Line 2A stations at Central Silk Board. The civil works contract, valued at Rs 55.48 crore, has been awarded to Milan Road Buildtech. The facility is intended to provide a direct interchange between the two corridors and reduce the walking burden on passengers changing lines. BMRCL’s engineering and planning teams will oversee quality and safety standards during the work.
