Bengaluru: Commuters playing loud music, watching videos and reels without earphones, and occupying priority seats have emerged as a growing nuisance on Namma Metro, prompting Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) to carry out a special awareness drive. As part of the initiative, more home guards will be deployed to travel on Metro to identify such passengers and caution them against repeating such behaviour.Officials said over the last one year, security staff detected 57,538 commuters playing loud music or using mobile phones without earphones on Metro trains. Another 37,038 passengers were found occupying priority seats meant for senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities. In addition, 1,907 commuters were caught eating on Metro, while 1,677 were found chewing tobacco products, all in violation of rules.A senior BMRCL official said despite repeated awareness campaigns, passengers continue to play music on mobile speakers or watch serials and films without earphones, causing inconvenience to co-passengers. “During peak hours, due to heavy rush, home guards cannot move from one coach to another to monitor such violations. People need to understand their responsibility while using public transport. Considering the increase in such cases, we plan to deploy more home guards in the coming days to conduct routine checks,” the official said.While causing nuisance attracts a fine of Rs 500 under BMRCL regulations, the official said, “As of now, we did not impose fines for these violations. Our aim is to educate commuters and ensure mutual respect among passengers.”However, regular commuters said such incidents are very common. “Some commuters don’t care about privacy and peace of mind of others, especially during long journeys. Once, while travelling from National College to Peenya, I found a person playing music without earphones. When I advised him, he agreed immediately. But in many cases, people are arrogant and refuse to listen,” said Nagaraj Reddy, a commuter.Officials also pointed out to multiple incidents of commuters chewing tobacco and spitting on tracks, staircases, and station premises. “Some passengers even consume tobacco while accessing platform areas. While staff try to prevent this, some manage to sneak in. Penalties are imposed as per rules,” an official said.Nuisance on city busesThe issue of passengers playing loud music is not limited to Metro. Similar complaints are reported on BMTC buses. In the past, the BMTC management issued circulars instructing conductors to educate errant passengers who play music or videos without using earphones. If commuters continue to ignore warnings and cause nuisance, conductors were asked to deboard them.A BMTC official said no penalties are currently collected from such passengers. “However, fines can be imposed on men occupying seats reserved for women and on passengers travelling without tickets,” the official said.
