MUMBAI: More than six people died every day from various causes while commuting on the Railways in Mumbai last year. Total fatalities dipped by 7% from 2,468 in 2024 to 2,287 in 2025, while the number of injured people reduced by 5% from 2,697 to 2,554, according to data with the Govt Railway Police (GRP).The Thane section reported the highest number of fatalities (278), followed by Kalyan (266) and Borivli (244). Although there was a reduction in deaths and injured individuals year on year, the overall numbers are still substantial, said activists, attributing the high volume of fatalities in the outskirts of the city to unchecked development and the lack of an alternative mode of transport to reach workplaces.Nearly half of all fatalities (1,063) last year were caused by track crossing, with the Thane section (144) reporting the maximum numbers. Another leading cause of fatalities was overcrowding and commuters landing on the tracks after losing their balance (525 deaths). Kalyan section reported the highest numbers (98) of commuters falling off trains.
On Central Railway (CR), about 30% of all deaths were reported in the Thane, Dombivli and Kalyan sections put together. Regular commuters say that the “Mumbra curve” is particularly dangerous. On June 9, five commuters were killed and a few others were injured after two coaches of trains running in opposite directions came dangerously close to each other at Mumbra.“The middle class cannot afford homes in Mumbai and scores of new apartments have mushroomed beyond Thane. But the frequency and capacity of trains have not kept pace with demand,” said passenger rights activist Lata Arghade. Thane resident Mangesh Patil said that peak-hour locals are so packed that, despite letting go of a few services, boarding is still a struggle. “Suburban trains often face delays due to priority given to long-distance trains,” added Arghade. She also pointed out that the Railways constructed compound walls in some sections to prevent track crossing, but people broke part of them to gain access.In July last year, CR informed the Bombay High Court, in connection with a PIL, about several safety initiatives implemented, such as fencing at 47 platforms, plugging of 204 trespass-prone openings, removal of 1,260 encroachments and installing warning systems at high-risk spots. In the long term, CR plans to implement major corridor upgrades, including the Panvel-Karjat and Airoli-Kalwa links.On Western Railway (WR), the commute to Virar can be a struggle. A WR spokesperson told TOI that 7,700 crore worth of capacity augmentation work is currently going on to enhance the capacity of suburban trains. “Over 479 lifts and escalators are digitally monitored through a centralised system; 45 lifts and 62 escalators will be installed in the next two years,” he said.MSID:: 126324350 413 |
