Mumbai Commuters May Soon Enjoy Safer Journeys

Mumbai’s overcrowded local trains could soon become safer, with railway authorities planning to introduce automatic door systems in non-AC suburban coaches as well. Thousands of commuters travel on these trains every day, and some risk their lives by standing near or hanging from open doorways. To prevent such accidents, officials are moving ahead with plans to introduce metro-style automatic doors. According to local media reports, the first non-AC suburban local train fitted with automatic doors has already arrived in Mumbai. The 12-coach train was manufactured at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai and will undergo several safety tests before being made available to passengers.

Officials have reportedly made changes to the train's design to ensure adequate ventilation despite the automatic doors remaining closed. Connections between coaches have also been provided to allow passengers to move easily from one compartment to another. According to the Mumbai Railway Police's official website, around 70–80 lakh passengers use the Mumbai suburban railway network every day. A train accident on June 9, 2025, in which five passengers standing near the doors lost their lives and several others were injured, highlighted the risks of travelling near open doorways. Following the incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed officials to introduce automatic doors in AC local train coaches. Authorities are now preparing to extend the safety measure to non-AC coaches as well.