Every morning and evening, the Hyderabad metro becomes a mirror of the city — a bustling, vibrant space where thousands of lives briefly intersect. Yet in recent times, it has also become a painful reminder of our growing disconnect. We are all physically together, yet miles apart, each of us lost in the glow of our own little screen.
This isn’t only about phone addiction — it’s about a worrying lack of awareness and basic human decency. On a recent crowded ride during peak hours, a small child got stuck in the crush of people. Terrified and whimpering, he became a small island of panic in a sea of indifference. And what did the crowd do? Nothing. Not a single person looked up from their phone. Some were scrolling through feeds, others were watching movies, while a few remained absorbed in their music and chats. The child’s distress was invisible to them, as if it were happening in another world.
Scenes like this play out every day in different forms. The train doors open and a flood of people rushes in — but those standing near the gate refuse to move an inch, blocking the way for everyone else. Why? Because they are too busy watching a video or replying to a message to take a few steps inside and make space. Ironically, the same people who complain about the rush are often the ones creating it, letting their digital world take precedence over the real one.
This is not meant to be a lecture. Nobody has the right to dictate how others use their phones. But there is a clear difference between using a device and being consumed by it. In a packed train, even a small bump can cause someone to stumble, and a sudden stop can trigger a dangerous domino effect. Yet, people cling to their screens, unaware that they are sharing a confined space, a journey, and a collective risk with hundreds of others.
I am not asking for a ban on phones in public. I am asking for a little more courtesy and a lot more awareness. The metro is a shared space, and we all have a responsibility to make it safe and bearable for everyone. The next time you are on a crowded train, please look up from your screen. Notice the people around you. Check if someone needs to get through. See if a child is in distress.
A simple act of looking up can remind us that we are not just strangers passing through a station — we are human beings traveling together. Let’s not allow our screens to build walls between us. Let’s bring back empathy and kindness to our daily commute.
Chaitanya Krishna