Mumbai, June 9 2025: In the wake of a tragic accident that claimed five lives, the Indian Railways has announced that all new rakes manufactured for Mumbai’s suburban network will now come equipped with automatic door-closing systems. The move aims to enhance commuter safety and prevent incidents caused by overcrowding and open doors on local trains.
The Railway Board confirmed the decision in a statement released on Monday, stating: “All rakes under manufacturing for Mumbai Suburban will have automatic door closer facilities.” Furthermore, the board added that all rakes currently in service on the Mumbai Suburban network will also be “redesigned” to include door closure systems.
The announcement follows a deadly incident that occurred on Monday morning between Diva and Mumbra stations in Thane district. At approximately 9:30 a.m., as two trains passed each other in opposite directions, passengers standing on the footboards collided. The impact caused several passengers to lose balance and fall onto the tracks.
According to initial reports, 13 passengers fell during the incident. Five were declared dead upon arrival at nearby hospitals, while others sustained injuries of varying severity. Officials confirmed that the trains were overcrowded, and many victims were standing on the edge of the coaches.
The Railway Board’s decision to retrofit existing trains is a significant development for Mumbai’s local train system, which serves over 7.5 million commuters daily. The lack of automatic doors has long been cited as a major safety concern, particularly during peak hours.
Authorities said more details regarding the redesign and implementation timeline will be shared soon. In the meantime, railway officials are continuing their investigation into the incident and have pledged to improve crowd management and safety on the network.
Source: Times Of India
