 "7 lives lost daily: Why everyday travel in Mumbai local trains is a risky affair")
Mumbai’s local trains are often overcrowded.
Little wonder than that then travelling on them is a risk to life and limb.
On Monday, at least four people died and several others were injured after falling off a train heading from CST to Thane’s Kasara.
The data show at least seven people die every day while traveling on the local trains in Mumbai.
But what happened today? How has the Indian Railways reacted?
Why are trains in Mumbai so overcrowded? What is being done?
Let’s take a closer look:
What happened today?
The incident occurred around 9.30 am – during peak hour – on the Central Railways line.
It happened when two overcrowded trains were passing each other between Diva and Koper railway stations.
Around 10 to 12 people fell off the overcrowded train which had several passengers on the footboards and hanging on to its doors, according to videos on social media.
Firstpost has not independently confirmed the authenticity of these videos.
The passengers were rushed to the hospital immediately.
The deceased were identified as Ketan Saroj, Rahul Gupta, Mayur Shah and Thane Government Railway Police (GRP) constable Vicky Mukhyad.
Four men and two women were injured.
As per NDTV Profit, two of the critically injured have been shifted to Jupiter Hospital.
The rest are being treated at Kalwa Hospital.
How has Indian Railways reacted?
Central Railways confirmed that overcrowding caused the incident.
Officials at the incident likely occurred when the backpacks of the commuters of the two trains brushed up against each other.
Swapnil Dhanraj Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO), Central Railway dismissed rumours and reports that the incident was caused by a collision.
“It is not a collision. In this incident, the passengers travelling on footboards in trains in opposite directions got entangled. This is one of the suspected reasons for the incident, as informed by a passenger. The distance between two trains is 1.5-2 meters, but on curves, a slight tilt happens, and this could be an additional reason for the incident,” Nila said.
The Central Railways has said that its officials are on the spot and an official investigation has begun.
Meanwhile, the railway board today (June 9) has taken two big decisions regarding commuter safety.
The railway board has decided that all rakes being manufactured for the Mumbai Suburban Line – which comprises Western Line, Central Line, and Harbour Line — will have automatic doors.
The railway board also said all rakes which are currently in service will be redesigned and equipped with automatic doors.
Why Mumbai trains so overcrowded?
First, let’s take a brief look at the numbers.
The Western Railways runs 1,394 trains ferrying 35 lakh passengers daily, while the Central Railways runs 1,810 trains carrying 40 lakh passengers per day.
The Central Railways and Western Railways told the Bombay High Court last year that around 51,000 people have lost their lives on Mumbai’s suburban trains over the past two decades.
Of the 51,802 people who lost their lives, 22,481 died on Western Railways’ lines while 29,321 people died on the Central Railways’ lines.
Four stations – Kalyan, Thane, Vasai, and Borivali – witnessed the most deaths.
Mumbai’s suburban railway witnessed 2,468 deaths in 2024 and 2,590 deaths in 2023.
This works out to around seven deaths every single day.
Experts say these trains usually carry three times their planned capacity during peak hours.
This means that a train coach which can carry 200 actually ferries 600 people, as per ThePhilox.org.
Activists agree that overcrowding is one of the main reasons for so many deaths.
“Overcrowding is another key reason that leads to fatalities,” activist Lata Arghade of the Upanagriya Railway Pravasi Mahasangh told The Times of India.
“Working-class citizens are unable to afford homes in the city and live in distant suburbs such as Ambernath, Badlapur, and Titwala. During peak hours, trains originating from these locations and headed towards the city are packed to capacity within minutes, and commuters are unable to board at subsequent stations. As a result, there are frequent instances of people falling off trains.”
Another activist said that they have been partitioning the government to bring in flexible work timings in order to reduce the pressure on the railways.
An official also said that converting non-ac local trains to air conditioned – which have automatic doors – could automatically overcrowding.
While it is clear that more trains are needed, the railways have said they are running at over 100 percent capacity.
They say during the rush hour, trains run every three minutes.
They say that the number of people using the trains have almost reached the numbers prior to the pandemic.
They say this is because of ticketless travel.
“We suspect that the number of commuters travelling ticketless has gone up substantially, to over 30 per cent, which ideally hovers around 15-20 per cent percent. This seems to be one of the reasons for the heavy crowding inside local trains, although the daily ridership numbers are still lesser than pre-Covid levels,” a senior railway official told Hindustan Times on condition of anonymity.
‘Pray to god injured get quick relief’
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis wrote on X, “The incident of a total of eight passengers falling from the local train between Diva-Mumbra station and the death of some people is very unfortunate. I pay my heartfelt tribute to them. We share the grief of their families. The injured were immediately admitted to Shivaji Hospital and Thane General Hospital and are undergoing treatment. The local administration is coordinating. I pray to God that the injured get quick relief. The Railway Department has started investigating the real causes of this incident.”
Deputy CM Pawar termed the accident as “unfortunate” and “distressing”.
“The deaths highlight the need to pay serious attention to overcrowding and passenger safety in the suburban railway system,” he said.
“I am confident that the railway administration will soon take concrete steps to make suburban train services more effective and safe,” he said.
Deputy CM Shinde said he was deeply saddened by the incident.
The state government would gather detailed information about the incident and ensure the injured receive immediate medical assistance, he said emphasising that “saving lives is the top priority”.
He also assured that financial aid would be provided to the families of those who lost their lives.
Responding to concerns over inadequate facilities for Mumbai commuters despite their significant contribution to the Indian Railways’ revenue, Shinde said, “A high-powered committee of the Indian Railways will investigate the matter. The truth will come out, and if anyone is found guilty, strict action will be taken.” “Thousands of passengers travel on this route every morning. This is a very sad incident. I share the grief of families of the deceased,” a statement from Shinde’s office quoted him as saying.
The opposition has in Maharashtra has slammed the government.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray took aim at Union Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
“This incident is unfortunate but not new—such incidents have happened in the past. We don’t know whether he is the Rail Minister or ‘Reel Minister’… He does not focus on the real issues of the railways. It is unfortunate,” Aaditya said.
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi of the Congress, who is also leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, wrote on X, “While the Modi government is celebrating 11 years of ‘service’, the reality of the country is reflected in the tragic news coming from Mumbai – several people died after falling from a train.”
“Who will look into what the country is facing today? I express my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wish the injured a speedy recovery,” Rahul added.
With inputs from agencies
 "Trump’s Munir outreach, India tariffs aren’t strategy — it’s about a Nobel: Ex-NSA John Bolton")
 "Trump suggests a ‘land swap’ between Russia and Ukraine: Which areas could change hands?")
 "Zelenskyy could cede some of Ukraine's territory in peace deal: Report")
 "How end of ‘Dropbox’ visa renewals in US from September 2 will impact Indians")
 "Trump’s Munir outreach, India tariffs aren’t strategy — it’s about a Nobel: Ex-NSA John Bolton")
 "Trump suggests a ‘land swap’ between Russia and Ukraine: Which areas could change hands?")
 "Zelenskyy could cede some of Ukraine's territory in peace deal: Report")
 "How end of ‘Dropbox’ visa renewals in US from September 2 will impact Indians")
