Following the tragic death of four people in Thane, Mumbai is set to roll out newly designed non-AC trains aimed at tackling overcrowding. The revamped coaches are expected to be introduced by January 2026.
After detailed discussions between the Railway Minister and Railway Board with the ICF team, it was decided that new non AC trains will be designed and manufactured where the key issue of ventilation will be resolved.
Following the meeting, it has been decided that the doors will have louvres, coaches will have roof mounted ventilation units to pump in fresh air. Lastly, the coaches will have vestibules so that passengers can move from one coach to another and balance out the crowd in a natural way.
The first train of this new design will be ready by November 2025. After necessary tests and certification, it will be put into service by January 2026. This is in addition to the 238 AC trains being manufactured for Mumbai suburban services.
Here are key changes:
Four commuters died and nine were injured after falling off two overcrowded local trains in Maharashtra's Thane district during the morning rush hour on Monday, officials said.
The incident occurred near Mumbra railway station when the trains were passing each other on a steep turn.
Chief Public Relations Officer of the Central Railway, Swapnil Nila, said the victims were travelling on the footboard of the two trains, one travelling towards Kasara and another travelling towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Mumbai.
The commuters were hanging from the doors of the crowded trains and their backpacks brushed against each other as the trains passed in opposite directions, police said.
The guard of a train going towards Kasara alerted the railway authorities about the incident. Those who fell off the trains were rushed to nearby hospitals, where four were declared dead on arrival, police said.
The Railway Ministry has decided to have automatic door closing facilities in coaches of all existing and new local trains for Mumbai Suburban, a senior official said.
After detailed discussions between the Railway Minister and Railway Board with the ICF team, it was decided that new non AC trains will be designed and manufactured where the key issue of ventilation will be resolved.
Following the meeting, it has been decided that the doors will have louvres, coaches will have roof mounted ventilation units to pump in fresh air. Lastly, the coaches will have vestibules so that passengers can move from one coach to another and balance out the crowd in a natural way.
The first train of this new design will be ready by November 2025. After necessary tests and certification, it will be put into service by January 2026. This is in addition to the 238 AC trains being manufactured for Mumbai suburban services.
Here are key changes:
- First, the doors will have louvres.
- Second, coaches will have roof mounted ventilation units to pump in fresh air.
- And third, the coaches will have vestibules so that passengers can move from one coach to another and balance out the crowd in a natural way.
Four commuters died and nine were injured after falling off two overcrowded local trains in Maharashtra's Thane district during the morning rush hour on Monday, officials said.
The incident occurred near Mumbra railway station when the trains were passing each other on a steep turn.
Chief Public Relations Officer of the Central Railway, Swapnil Nila, said the victims were travelling on the footboard of the two trains, one travelling towards Kasara and another travelling towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Mumbai.
The commuters were hanging from the doors of the crowded trains and their backpacks brushed against each other as the trains passed in opposite directions, police said.
The guard of a train going towards Kasara alerted the railway authorities about the incident. Those who fell off the trains were rushed to nearby hospitals, where four were declared dead on arrival, police said.
The Railway Ministry has decided to have automatic door closing facilities in coaches of all existing and new local trains for Mumbai Suburban, a senior official said.
