Kolkata Metro services on both lines were briefly disrupted on Friday morning after a stray dog entered the tracks at Shobhabazar station, prompting authorities to cut power to the track and begin a rescue operation. Services returned to normal after about 10 minutes, according to a report by Sanmarg – Kolkata.
The incident affected a train travelling from Dakshineswar towards the city. The Metro reached Shyambazar station at about 7.38 am and remained halted for some time. Passengers were later informed that the disruption was linked to the dog entering the tracks at Shobhabazar station.
As a safety measure, power supply to the affected track was switched off before the rescue operation began. The action was intended to prevent contact between the animal, the electrified railway infrastructure and moving trains. Once the operation was completed, Metro services resumed.
The disruption affected both the up and down lines for a short period. The report did not specify how many trains or passengers were affected, nor did it provide details of any injury to passengers, staff or the animal. No official statement from Kolkata Metro administration had been issued on the incident at the time of publication, according to the report.
The episode has raised questions about access control and monitoring inside the station. Kolkata Metro stations have passenger-entry checks, including baggage screening, ticket inspection and staff supervision. However, the report does not establish how the dog entered the station or reached the track area.
The incident also follows an earlier episode reported during Kali Puja in 2025, when a dog entered a Metro station after being frightened by the sound of firecrackers. The recurrence has brought attention to the practical limits of station security systems, which are primarily designed to screen passengers and manage human movement rather than prevent animals from entering station premises.
The report attributed allegations of staff negligence and indifference to some passengers, but said those allegations had not been independently confirmed. It also left unanswered whether the station has specific procedures for dealing with stray animals, whether staff are required to monitor access points continuously, and whether any post-incident review has been ordered.
For Metro operations, the response followed a basic safety sequence: stop or hold train movement, isolate electrical power, remove the obstruction and restore services only after the track is considered clear. The short duration of the disruption indicates that operations were resumed quickly, although the available report does not provide a formal account of the decisions taken or the exact location where the dog was found.
Further details would depend on a statement from Kolkata Metro administration regarding the animal’s condition, the entry point, the station’s surveillance arrangements and any corrective action. The report did not mention a timeline for such a statement or any announced review of the incident.
