Ever since Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy recommended a 70-hour workweek – that is, 14 hours every day, five days a week – the Indian internet has debated work-life balance and burnout in corporate settings. Turns out, it is not just those in the glass-concrete highrises who are burnt out. At Bengaluru Metro’s Ragigudda station, a guard, 52, on a 16-hour work shift, dozed off while walking, and fell onto the tracks.
The incident, captured on CCTV and then widely circulated on social media, shows the guard suddenly veering past the yellow safety line before collapsing onto the live tracks. According to The Times of India, the fall occurred around 11 AM, moments before a train was due. A passenger on the platform rushed to help and, with the assistance of another guard who activated the emergency trip switch to cut power to the tracks, pulled him to safety. Services on the Yellow Line were briefly halted.
The CCTV footage of the incident was shared on Instagram by Jist News.
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The guard escaped without major injuries and was immediately relieved from duty. According to a Hindustan Times report, an internal inquiry has been ordered into how such an extended work shift was permitted in the first place.
Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) has said safety procedures are being reviewed, mentioned the report. Just last week, railings were installed at RV Road Interchange Station to prevent accidental falls, the second such station after Majestic.
On social media, the footage has triggered sharp criticism. Many users questioned the long duty hours assigned to support staff and demanded structural changes, such as platform screen doors and stricter enforcement of labour norms. Responding to the video that has gone viral with over 4.5 lakh views, one user took a dig at Murthy, saying, “Narayan Murthy: That’s my boy.” Another user wrote, “Giving 16 hour shift to anyone should be illegal. Only shows much employees are cared for.”
A third user said, “Work life balance is meant for white collars to discuss on Instagram and LinkedIn. Reality is different.” One Instagram user said, “Over duty and underpaid.” Many others expressed relief at the commuter’s quick reaction, which averted what could have been a fatal accident.
Meanwhile, it was on August 11 that Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Bengaluru metro’s Yellow Line covering a distance of 19km, connecting RV Road to Bommasandra via Electronic City.