A bizarre incident on the Kolkata Metro has sparked outrage and raised security concerns after a passenger was caught on CCTV footage defacing a train compartment. The incident, which occurred on a moving metro train, involved a man spraying a large "X" with black paint on the doors of one of the coaches. The act of vandalism has been widely condemned, with authorities vowing to take strict action against the culprit.
The video, which quickly went viral on social media, shows the unidentified man standing up from his seat and systematically spraying the doors with black paint. The large "X" marks were applied to multiple doors within the compartment. Surprisingly, according to metro sources, none of the other passengers in the coach appeared to protest or intervene during the incident.
Metro Railway Kolkata swiftly issued a statement expressing strong disapproval of the act. They highlighted that the vandalism had not only damaged the aesthetic appearance of the coach but also hurt the sentiments of metro users. The railway authorities are now actively working to identify the offender with the help of CCTV footage from both the train and stations. Kolkata Police have also been approached to assist in the investigation.
The Metro Railway Kolkata has emphasized that defacing metro property is a punishable offense under the law. They have urged passengers to refrain from engaging in such activities and to report any similar incidents they may witness. The authorities have also appealed to passengers to stop co-passengers from indulging in such misdeeds. Legal action will be initiated against anyone found guilty of vandalism.
The incident has triggered a debate about security measures within the Kolkata Metro system. Questions are being raised about how an individual could carry spray paint onto a train and carry out such an act in broad daylight without being noticed or stopped. Some security experts suggest that the incident could be a sign of potential future threats, emphasizing the need for increased vigilance and stricter monitoring in sensitive areas like the metro. There are considerations of installing additional CCTV cameras and increasing the activity of mobile scanning teams at stations and on trains.
One concerned passenger voiced the worry that if someone can get away with carrying spray paint, what's to stop someone from bringing in explosives? This incident underscores the importance of not solely relying on technology for security and highlights the need for more human vigilance and a system that allows for rapid response.
This incident is not the first instance of disruption or vandalism on the Kolkata Metro. In June 2025, heavy rainfall caused severe waterlogging, disrupting metro services. There have also been instances of passengers falling on the tracks, leading to service disruptions. In 2018, construction work at a metro station was stalled after miscreants assaulted laborers and security guards. In another incident that year, a couple was harassed for "being too close" while on the metro, sparking protests against moral policing. In 2023, three Russian nationals were arrested for attempting to create graffiti art on metro rakes.
The recent act of vandalism serves as a reminder of the challenges in maintaining security and preventing unlawful behavior within public transportation systems. While authorities are taking steps to identify and prosecute the offender, the incident has prompted a broader discussion about the need for enhanced security measures and increased public awareness to protect the Kolkata Metro and its users.
