Metro-3 to have screen doors for safety

Mumbai: In a first, the underground Metro-3 corridor (Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ) will have Platform Screen Doors (PSD) installed at all stations in a bid to help reduce suicides and ensure commuter safety. The Platform Screen Doors are barriers that protect a platform area from the side of the tracks through a wall of the glass doors. According to the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRC), four such doors will be required for each station.

“These doors line up with train doors and open when the train has completely stopped at a station. Platform Screen Doors is one of the most advanced technology and is being widely used in leading metro systems worldwide,” said a MMRC spokesperson.  

Last year, the MMRC had started the process of procuring PSDs. As of now, Request for Proposal (RFP) is issued to pre-qualified bidders, and the scheduled bids will be submitted and opened this month.

The authorities believe that installation of such doors will help in crowd management and ensure smooth boarding and alighting for passengers. Full height PSD will be provided at 26 underground stations, and half height Platform Edge Doors (PED) will be provided at grade stations.  “Metro-3 line will use eight-coach trains, and each coach will require four Platform Screen Doors,” added the MMRC spokesperson.  

Other benefits of such doors include improvement in the sound quality of platform announcements, as background noise from the tunnels and trains that are entering or exiting is reduced. PSDs also prevents or reduces the pressure of wind felt by the passengers caused by the piston effect of train movement which could in some circumstances make people fall on the track.