The Railway Ministry on Monday announced that all local trains in Mumbai, both new and existing, will soon be equipped with automatic door closing systems. The decision comes after a tragic incident in Thane district, where several passengers died and others were injured after falling from an overcrowded local train.

What happened?

The accident took place between Mumbra and Diva stations on the Down/Fast Line. According to railway officials, passengers hanging on the footboards of two passing trains may have collided as their backpacks brushed against each other. Eight people reportedly fell from the train, with the guard of a Kasara-bound local reporting the incident.

Chief Public Relations Officer of Central Railway Swapnil Dhanraj Nila clarified, "It was not a train collision. People travelling on footboards got entangled as two trains passed each other. The gap between trains is usually 1.5 to 2 metres, but on curves, tilting can reduce this space."

Railways respond with safety upgrade

Executive Director of Information and Publicity at the Railway Board Dilip Kumar confirmed that the Ministry has taken immediate steps. “All local train rakes currently under manufacturing for Mumbai Suburban will have automatic door closers. Existing rakes in service will also be redesigned to include this feature,” he said.

Officials stressed that passenger safety is a top priority and that steps are being taken to prevent such incidents in the future.

Officials react

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that help is being provided to the injured.

Injured passengers were rushed to nearby hospitals, and both railway and police officials arrived quickly at the scene to begin a probe.

Central Railways, in an official statement, said, “The reason for the accident is believed to be overcrowding. An investigation is on, and support is being provided to those affected.”

Inputs from agencies