Commuters on the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) faced a major ordeal earlier today when a train developed a severe technical snag and came to a complete halt inside an underground tunnel, leading to the evacuation of passengers who were then instructed to walk to the nearest station.
The incident occurred on the Blue Line, which connects Chennai Airport to Wimco Nagar Depot, specifically between the Central Metro station and the High Court Metro station (sources have also cited the train stopping near Thirumangalam in a similar previous incident, but the latest reports point to the Central to High Court section). The stalled train left passengers stranded inside the dark tunnel for approximately 10 to 15 minutes before rescue protocols were activated.
Emergency Evacuation Protocol
Following the technical failure, the train operator contacted the Operation Control Centre (OCC). With no immediate solution to move the train, authorities decided to implement emergency evacuation procedures. Passengers were safely disembarked from the train and were asked to proceed along the walkway built within the metro tunnel.
VIDEO | A Chennai Metro train came to an abrupt halt likely due to power failure inside the tunnel between Central and High Court stations, leaving passengers stranded inside. More details are awaited.
(Source: Third Party)
(Full video available on PTI Videos -… pic.twitter.com/W5qHtKm8u8— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 2, 2025
Witnesses and passenger video clips shared on social media confirmed the dramatic scene, showing commuters walking along the side path of the tunnel in low light, accompanied by metro staff. Reports suggest the distance passengers had to walk to the nearest station, identified by some as the High Court Metro Station, was around 500 meters (half a kilometer).
Disruption and CMRL Response
The glitch caused immediate disruption across the Blue Line, resulting in significant delays during the peak travel hour. CMRL officials later confirmed the technical fault, assuring the public that their teams worked on a war footing to resolve the issue.
The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) issued a statement on their official channels, confirming the rectification of the fault and the resumption of normal services. They also expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to the passengers due to the unexpected delay and the necessity of the tunnel walk.
This incident marks another instance where technical snags have temporarily crippled Chennai’s metro services, underscoring the need for rigorous maintenance and timely resolution of mechanical and electronic faults to maintain the reliability of the mass rapid transit system.
