Mumbai: A fire broke out in the basement of the newly inaugurated Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) metro station on Friday afternoon, causing a temporary suspension of services for over two hours and raising concerns about safety protocols in the city's expanding metro network. The blaze erupted around 1:10 PM in a non-operational area of the station that is still under construction.
While no injuries were reported, the incident triggered a swift response from emergency services. Eight fire engines rushed to the scene, battling thick smoke and flames that engulfed wooden sheets, furniture, and construction material stored at a depth of 40-50 feet below ground. Firefighters, assisted by city police, Adani Power personnel, and medical teams, worked tirelessly to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to the operational areas of the station.
The fire was brought under control around 3:11 PM, and after a thorough safety inspection, metro services resumed. The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) issued a statement assuring the public that the incident was confined to a construction zone and that passenger safety was never compromised. However, the incident has sparked questions about fire safety measures in the metro system, particularly in areas still under construction. This is the second fire incident in the Mumbai metro network within a month, following a blaze at the Mandai metro station in Pune on October 21st. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire and reviewing safety protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.
DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this brief draws upon publicly available sources, including news reports, industry publications, and expert commentary.
