Bengaluru: Following the fear expressed by a section of health activists and the experts, the BMRCL decided to exempt pregnant women from using the automated token collection gates to enter into the Metro stations. Instead, they are allowed to use the staff entry points.

According to the sources, a lot of pregnant women had lodged complaints with the BMRCL that these gates operate very fast and hence pregnant women are unable to use it as they can’t walk fast.
“Keeping in mind the safety of pregnant women, it has been decided to exempt them from using these gates. Instead, they are allowed to use the staff entry points,” informed a circular issued by the BMRCL in this regard.
Rashmi Bhat, a five-month pregnant who travel between Malleshwaram and MG road stations said, it was one of the old issues raised by several pregnant women like her. “You can see the quarrel between the staff and the pregnant women over this issue every day. Finally, the BMRCL has responded to our grievance,” she said.
Meanwhile, activists have also urged the BMRCL to exempt the pregnant women from using the metal detectors. “It works based on radiation waves. It is not good for pregnant women. We will raise this issue as well,” said Rita Joseph, a rights activist.