Following a tragic accident near Mumbra in Thane, the Railway Board has ordered automatic door-closure systems for all new Mumbai suburban train rakes and launched a retrofit program for existing ones. This decision aims to prevent passengers from falling off overcrowded trains.
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Railway Board Mandates Automatic Doors on Mumbai Locals Post-Tragedy
In a major safety overhaul, the Railway Board has decided to install automatic door-closure systems on all Mumbai suburban train rakes built going forward and retrofit this feature across existing rakes. This directive follows a fatal accident near Mumbra, where overcrowding led to multiple passengers falling from moving trains.
According to official sources, trains currently under manufacturing will come equipped with automatic doors, while operational rakes in service will undergo redesign and necessary upgrades to ensure doors close securely during travel. The board’s swift decision underscores a renewed focus on passenger safety after the June 9 accident in which at least five people lost their lives between Diva and Mumbra stations.
Central Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer confirmed that passengers traveling on footboards were thrown out as two suburban trains passed each other in close proximity. The overcrowding, coupled with open doors, had devastating consequences during such tight maneuvers.
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New rakes: All upcoming Mumbai suburban train rakes to feature automatic door closers
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Retrofits: Existing train rakes to be modified with door-closure systems
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Trigger incident: Overcrowding-led accident near Mumbra claimed at least five lives
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Cause: Passengers on footboards lost balance when trains crossed
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Objective: Prevent fall-offs and enhance commuter safety across the network
Mumbai’s suburban rail network is the busiest in India, transporting over 7 million passengers daily. Frequent overcrowding, especially during peak hours, has long put lives at risk, with passengers hanging off footboards or boarded through open doors. The new door systems are expected to minimize such hazards significantly.
