A 66-year-old man was dragged to death after his hand got stuck between the sliding doors of a rake while trying to get into Kavi Subhash-bound train at Park Street Metro station today. The incident took place when Sajal Kumar Kanjilal, a resident of Kasba, was trying to get into the Metro train at around 6.45p.m.

According to witnesses, the doors closed on his hand and the train moved off with its usual high speed. As the train moved at speed, Kanjilal’s body was dragged for about 60 metres and he fell dead some distance from the station. As informed by witnesses, smoke was also noticed billowing from the rake which further triggered panic among the commuters.

It was also alleged by the commuters that while waiting passengers at the platform shouted to alert the motorman and other station staff to take notice of the man who was being dragged, the rake kept moving. The train stopped only after going a few metres from the stations towards Maidan and thereafter the passengers on board were evacuated from the motorman’s cabin.

The victim’s body was reported to have injuries due to electric shocks and he was declared brought dead on being taken to SSKM Hospital. The incident left the commuters furious, who alleged severe negligence by the Metro authorities. One of the witnesses alleged that while there were hardly any RPF personnel visible on the platform, the ones present did not come forward to help the victim.

Others wanted to know why the rake didn’t stop despite the victim’s hand being stuck in the door. Witnesses also alleged that despite frenzied attempts to alert the Metro authorities, the train kept moving leading to the death of the man. The new ICF rake from Chennai, which is supposed to have modern technology including sensors to detect even the smallest particles, in between the flaps of the sliding door, was recently rolled out on the tracks.

Notably, the enquiry committee of the commission of railway safety, after the fire incident at Maidan Metro station had recommended that each rake should have audio and video surveillance system for complete monitoring. It had also emphasised on linking of the fire and smoke alarms with the central monitoring system so that no additional time is wasted in communicating information in case of an emergency.

Today’s incident, however, has triggered several questions in the minds of the commuters. “We want to know from the Metro authorities how many more such incidents are to take place in our Metro railway?” asked one of the commuters. “Incidents of fire, water leakage, and bags being stuck in the new Metro rakes have been seen earlier also, but the Metro authorities’ response has been passive so far.” The unprecedented incident attracted prompt response from chief minister Mamata Banerjee who termed it as an ‘unfortunate incident’.

“Metro Rail is ignored the most and no effort is taken for maintenance. During my tenure as the railway minister, we brought new rakes and conducted regular maintenance. But now, no new projects are introduced,” said Miss Banerjee. She assured help from the government and if needed a job for a relative of the deceased. Kolkata Municipal Corporation’s mayor, Firhad Hakim visited Park Street Metro station at the instructions of the chief minister.

“First the deceased’s identity needs to be traced which will take some time,” said Mr Hakim. “We will do what needs to be done. The case needs to be investigated, and enquiry will be done. Whether there was any negligence, is not known as of yet,” he added. The general manager of Metro railway, Mr P.C Sharma has ordered a high level enquiry into the incident. As informed by CPRO Indrani Banerjee, a threemember committee has been formed to investigate the incident.