January 24, 2026: Central Railway (CR) is set to induct two new non-AC Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) rakes equipped with automatic doors and vestibules, marking a change in safety features for Mumbai’s suburban rail network. The new rakes are expected to be delivered by the end of March 2026 and introduced into service from April, subject to the completion of trials.
According to railway officials, the rakes will be deployed after extensive testing, with the CSMT–Kalyan section identified as the pilot corridor. This will make it the first route in Mumbai to operate non-AC local trains fitted with automatic closed doors.
“The ICF will deliver the prototype by the end of March and after that, Central Railway will conduct multiple trials on the prototype to conclude,” said Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer, Central Railway.
The decision to introduce these rakes follows the Mumbra local train accident on June 9, 2025, in which four passengers lost their lives and several others were injured. The incident brought renewed focus on safety concerns linked to overcrowded non-AC suburban trains, which traditionally operate with open doors, particularly during peak travel hours.
After the accident, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw asked the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) to design a non-AC rake that improves passenger safety while remaining suitable for Mumbai’s high-density suburban operations. The resulting prototype incorporates automatic door-closing systems to prevent passengers from boarding or alighting from moving trains or leaning out while in motion.
To address ventilation concerns associated with closed doors, the design includes ventilated door louvres and roof-mounted fans to maintain airflow inside the coaches. In addition, vestibules between coaches will allow passengers to move across the length of the train, helping redistribute crowds during rush hours and reducing congestion near doors.
CR officials said feedback from the trial runs will determine the final operating protocol before the rakes are fully inducted into regular service. If successful, the pilot could pave the way for a wider rollout of non-AC locals with automatic doors across Mumbai’s suburban railway network.
