Smoke in Kolkata Metro Coach Sparks Alarm at Chandi Chowk Station

Kolkata:

A plume of smoke emerging from a Sahid Khudiram bound Metro coach prompted passengers to disembark urgently at Chandi Chowk station on Thursday morning, officials confirmed.

The incident occurred at around 8:15 am while the train was halted at the underground station, a Metro Railway spokesperson told the Press Trust of India. According to the spokesperson, “a smoke was detected in a coach of a Sahid Khudiram bound rake … triggering panic among passengers.”

As soon as the smoke was observed, station staff and crew initiated a prompt evacuation. All passengers were safely removed from the affected coach, and no injuries have been reported so far. Metro officials emphasised that the evacuation was orderly and efficient under the circumstances.

Operations on the North-South Blue Line were temporarily disrupted following the incident but were restored once the situation was brought under control. No damage to infrastructure has been reported, and the affected rake was later withdrawn for inspection and maintenance checks.

Railway officials have launched an inquiry to determine the origin of the smoke, with power supply and coach equipment under particular scrutiny. The Metro Railway spokesperson stated that the precise cause remains under investigation, with details expected once the probe concludes.

No casualties were recorded and the incident was resolved without major disruption beyond the temporary pause in services. This follows standard protocol to ensure passenger safety, officials confirmed.

While Kolkata Metro has experienced similar situations in the past, including smoke related alarms at Chandni Chowk and Maidan stations, no injuries were reported in those cases either. Officials typically attribute such events to electrical snags or debris contacting under‑floor power equipment, leading to sparks and smoke.

Metro authorities have reiterated that communication systems aboard trains and platforms are functional, although some passengers in previous incidents complained of poor announcements. This time, no such complaints were reported, suggesting that public address systems may have operated effectively.

Passengers praised the swift action of Metro staff. One commuter observed that there was no sign of panic and that announcements directed them calmly towards the exits. Metro Railway’s standard operating procedures were evidently in full use.

Investigators will now examine whether routine safety and maintenance checks were fully up to date before the train left the depot. They will also verify whether onboard smoke detection systems operated as intended.

In light of this morning’s scare, Metro officials said they would focus on reinforcing preventive maintenance and safety drills across the network. The incident has once again highlighted the importance of swift response and regular inspection protocols to avoid potential hazards in Kolkata’s underground transit system.

Passengers are advised to follow station staff instructions and remain vigilant in case of any unusual signs aboard trains. Meanwhile, services on the North-South corridor continue to run on schedule following the brief interruption.