Mumbai Local Train Tragedy Triggers Railways to Roll Out Coaches with Automatic Door Closures by 2026

In a decisive move following the tragic death of four passengers who fell from a moving Mumbai local train, the Railway Board has announced the introduction of trains with automatic door-closing systems for the Mumbai Suburban network. The decision aims to enhance passenger safety in the bustling suburban rail system that serves over 66 lakh daily commuters.

The incident occurred between Diva and Mumbra stations early Monday morning, where at least eight passengers fell from a packed local train. The Railway Ministry confirmed that those who fell were reportedly standing on the footboard—an extremely risky practice that has long plagued Mumbai’s local rail network.

New Coaches with Enhanced Safety and Ventilation

To address the dual concerns of safety and suffocation in non-AC trains, Indian Railways has finalized a new design for suburban coaches. These new trains, being manufactured at Chennai’s Integral Coach Factory (ICF), will feature:

• Automatic doors with louvers for improved airflow,
• Roof-mounted ventilation units to pump in fresh air and reduce CO₂ buildup,
• Vestibules between coaches to allow passengers to move freely and decongest crowded compartments.

According to a senior Railway Ministry official, “CO₂ levels in non-AC coaches increase 2.5 times with closed doors. This design was finalized after detailed discussions to ensure ventilation is not compromised.”

The first prototype of the redesigned non-AC rake is expected to be ready by November 2025, and after safety certifications, it will be rolled out for public use by January 2026.

Retrofitting Older Rakes and Expanding Closed-Door Operations

While new rakes will be fitted with the automatic door-closing system by default, the Railway Board is also exploring the feasibility of retrofitting older trains with similar safety features. The Mumbai suburban network currently operates 3,200 local trains daily—1,810 by Central Railway and 1,406 by Western Railway.

Dilip Kumar, Executive Director (Information & Publicity), Ministry of Railways, stated:
“This tragic incident highlights the urgent need for structural safety interventions. Along with new designs, the Board has commissioned a study to evaluate how existing local trains can be equipped with closed-door systems.”

Additionally, 238 AC local trains—which already feature closed-door systems—are currently under production to further modernize Mumbai’s suburban rail infrastructure.

Investigation Underway, No Compensation Declared Yet

An official inquiry has been initiated to determine the exact cause of the accident. However, no ex gratia or compensation announcements have been made so far for the victims or their families.

Railway authorities have once again urged passengers to avoid footboard travel and refrain from boarding or alighting moving trains, emphasizing that safety measures are only effective if commuters also adhere to responsible practices.