Woman dies after saree gets stuck in Delhi Metro door: Safety tips for metro travel

A 35-year-old woman whose saree got stuck in a Delhi Metro door has succumbed to her injuries in hospital. The woman, Reena, was near the metro door at Inderlok Station, when her saree got stuck. The door did not open as per safety measures, even after the obstruction. As a result, she was dragged along the moving metro, causing severe brain and chest injuries.

Reena was travelling in the Delhi Metro from Nangloi to Mohan Nagar with her son. When she was boarding the metro, the door suddenly closed and her saree got stuck. She was dragged for several metres and fell on the track.

The incident happened on Thursday, December 14. The injured woman was reportedly refused admission at three hospitals. Reena passed away on Saturday, December 16, at the Safdarjung Hospital. She leaves behind two young children - a 12-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son - who have been orphaned, as her husband passed away in 2014. The Delhi Police have registered a case under Section 174 CrPC.

DMRC response

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has issued a statement, saying that an inquiry has been ordered into the incident. 

The statement by Anuj Dayal, Principal Executive Director, Corporate Communications, DMRC said, “An incident occurred at Inderlok Metro station on 14th December where prima facie it appears that a lady passenger’s clothes got entangled in a train leading to injuries and subsequent demise in hospital today. The Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) will be holding an inquiry into this incident.”

Safety precautions you must take while boarding a metro

Here are some of the things to be kept in mind while travelling in a metro.

• Stand at a distance when the door is opening or closing.
• Do not attempt to hurriedly enter or exit a metro.
• Do not run at the metro door. Wait for your turn or for the next metro.
• Always keep your bag and valuables close to you.
• Make sure your clothes, saree pallu, scarves, dupattas, dhotis and stoles are not in the way of the metro door.
• Keep your mobilephone, wallet and other valuables in your bag or pocket while boarding or alighting from the metro.
• Avoid using the mobilephone while near the metro door.
• If there are children or senior citizens with you, hold their hand while entering or alighting from a metro.
• Avoid listening to loud music and be alert.
• Always listen to and follow the security and safety announcements made in the metro.