No monkeying around: Animals inside some Bengaluru’s Namma Metro stations worry commuters

Commuters using Bengaluru’s Namma Metro have raised concerns, as monkeys and other urban wildlife frequently stray into some metro stations, warning that the issue poses serious risks to both animal safety and metro operations.

They fear that animals getting on to the tracks can get injured, disrupt services, or even cause accidents. Sangeetha Rao, a regular commuter who recently encountered a troop of monkeys at the R.V. Road Metro Station, said the experience was unsettling despite the animals appearing harmless. “I was waiting on the platform when I suddenly noticed some monkeys moving around freely inside the station. While they did not harm anyone, it was worrying to see them so close to the tracks. A single misstep could be fatal for the animals and dangerous for commuters,” she said.

Another commuter, Ramprasad M., said the issue was not limited to monkeys alone. “I have seen cats and other animals inside a few metro stations. If any of them get on to the tracks, it can be extremely dangerous. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) should treat this as a serious safety concern and introduce concrete preventive measures,” he said .

Prabhitha Kumari, who frequently travels through R.V. Road and National College stations, said the presence of monkeys has become a regular inconvenience. “At times, dozens of monkeys enter the station, forcing passengers to avoid empty seats and corners of the platform. This is not just uncomfortable but potentially dangerous. If animals wander onto the tracks, it could lead to serious safety risks and service disruptions. The BMRCL must act swiftly before an accident occurs,” she said.

The BMRCL officials said they are aware of such incidents and whenever animals enter metro premises, security personnel stationed on platforms intervene and take necessary steps to handle the situation and ensure commuter safety.

Eliminate food sources

Experts said that to prevent monkeys and other urban wildlife from entering metro stations, it’s essential to eliminate all food sources in and around these areas. “This means no eatables inside metro stations, no food stalls near entrances, and strict control measures on littering. Food should be completely removed from the environment, because animals are not entering out of curiosity, they are entering for survival. If the food source is removed, the frequency of these incidents will naturally drop,” Col. Dr. Navaz Shariff, General Manager and Chief Wildlife Veterinarian, PfA Wildlife Hospital, Bengaluru, told The Hindu.

He further opined that the metro authorities must strengthen waste management systems with proper garbage disposal, timely clearing of bins, and full-proof segregation of wet and dry waste. “People should strictly avoid feeding macaques or leaving behind leftovers, as this creates dependency and attracts more wildlife into high-risk zones. As urbanisation expands, natural habitats are shrinking and wildlife is being pushed closer to human spaces. We have to recognise that cities are not only occupied by humans, animals are learning to survive within them,” Dr. Shariff said.

He added that human-animal coexistence is not optional. It is a shared responsibility. When encounters happen, people should not throw stones at these animals or hit them, but awareness, patience, and preventive systems are key.

Pigeons: A growing health menace

Several commuters also flagged pigeons as a growing health menace inside metro stations. Large numbers of pigeons are often seen roosting in station areas, leaving behind droppings and feathers. “Pigeons in enclosed public spaces are a serious public health hazard. Their droppings and feathers can transmit diseases and cause respiratory problems,” Mr. Ramprasad said, urging the BMRCL to address the issue urgently.

Recently, V. Lakshminath, Deputy Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department, wrote to the Urban Development Department, seeking steps to regulate and prohibit the feeding of pigeons in public places. In a letter dated December 16, the department highlighted the growing risks posed by excessive pigeon droppings and feathers in densely populated areas. Citing medical experts, the letter warned that prolonged exposure could lead to respiratory illnesses such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases, and called for strict enforcement by civic authorities.