January 28, 2026: Mumbai’s expanding Metro network received a fresh boost this week with the award of a key contract focused on safety-critical infrastructure for Metro Line 5. The project, which forms part of the city’s broader push to ease road congestion and decarbonise urban mobility, involves the design, supply, installation, and long-term maintenance of Platform Screen Doors (PSDs) along the west–east suburban rapid transit corridor.
The multi-year contract has been secured by a consortium led by an Indian IT and systems company in partnership with a major rolling stock manufacturer. This marks the firm’s first foray into fully automatic PSD systems, a technology that is increasingly considered essential for high-density metro operations. PSDs consist of sliding barriers installed along platform edges that synchronise with train doors, preventing accidental falls, improving crowd control and enabling climate-controlled stations that enhance passenger comfort and energy efficiency.
Urban transport planners say PSDs are no longer viewed as optional features but as core elements of mature metro systems. In global cities, their deployment has been linked to improved passenger safety and more efficient regulation of dwell times, helping increase overall network capacity. For Mumbai, which is expected to handle daily ridership running into the millions, such systems are seen as a step towards world-class transit safety and performance.
The contract aligns with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority’s (MMRDA) wider programme of building multiple metro corridors across the city and its suburbs. As new elevated and underground lines extend connectivity, commuter expectations around safety, accessibility and service quality are also rising. Experts note that integrating PSDs at the construction stage, especially at elevated stations, reduces long-term operational challenges and avoids costly retrofits.
The announcement drew a measured positive response from financial markets, with the engineering partner’s shares edging up on expectations of stronger order flows from urban infrastructure projects. Analysts suggest that expanding into rail-specific digital and hardware solutions could help technology firms diversify revenues beyond traditional IT services.
At the same time, sector specialists caution that PSD implementation is technically complex, requiring precise synchronisation across rolling stock types and station designs. Ensuring universal accessibility, particularly for differently-abled commuters, will also be critical as Mumbai’s Metro network continues to scale up with a sharper focus on safety, reliability, and resilience.
Source: Urban Acres
