After a tragic accident near Mumbra, Indian Railways announced a major safety upgrade for non-AC suburban trains. It plans to install automatic door closure systems across the entire Mumbai suburban network by 2026. This initiative aims to reduce accidents caused by overcrowding and open train doors during travel. Mumbai’s local trains carry over 80 lakh passengers every day, making safety a top priority. The move forms part of a broader effort to modernise one of the world’s busiest suburban railway systems.
Non-AC Locals To Get Safety Upgrade With Automatic Doors
मध्य रेल्वेच्या दिवा आणि मुंब्रा स्थानकादरम्यान ट्रेनमधून पडून प्रवाशांचा मृत्यू झाल्याची घटना अत्यंत दुर्दैवी आहे. सर्व निष्पाप प्रवाशांना भावपूर्ण श्रद्धांजली अर्पण करतो. तसेच, काही प्रवाशांवर रुग्णालयात उपचार सुरु आहेत. त्यांच्याही प्रकृतीत लवकरात लवकर सुधारणा होवो, अशी…
— Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) June 9, 2025
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) (SP) leader Sharad Pawar urged the Central Railway administration on X (formerly Twitter) to fast-track the installation of automatic doors on local trains following the Mumbra tragedy. He asked for immediate implementation of safety upgrades for public safety.
According to The Times of India, Indian Railways will add automatic doors to non-AC Mumbai locals from January 2026. The Railway Board made this decision after a tragic incident near Mumbra shocked the city. In that incident, eight commuters fell from two fast-moving local trains during peak hours. Four of them lost their lives, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced commuter safety.
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As part of the plan, a prototype of non-AC coaches with automatic door systems is expected to be ready by November 2025. These upgraded coaches will also feature safety enhancements, including louvred door panels for improved airflow and interconnecting vestibules. This will help to minimise congestion near doorways.
Rollout Plan For Upgraded Coaches
The new safety system will be installed not only in upcoming trains but also retrofitted to existing non-AC rakes across the Mumbai suburban network. The door closure mechanism will operate automatically, preventing passengers from boarding or alighting while the train is in motion.
As reported by The Economic Times, Indian Railways has already placed an order for 238 new AC trains, which will come equipped with similar door systems. However, with non-AC rakes making up the bulk of the daily fleet, their upgrade marks a major step in improving overall commuter safety.
Commuter Safety The Top Priority
By enforcing automatic door closure on non-AC locals, Railways aims to reduce accidents caused by overcrowding and footboard travel. The system is expected to significantly cut down on incidents where passengers lose balance or fall while hanging onto open doors.
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Overcrowding, especially during peak hours, plagues Mumbai’s suburban trains. By starting the safety overhaul with non-AC locals, Indian Railways aims to prevent future tragedies and ensure a safer travel experience for lakhs of daily commuters.
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