Indian Railways has announced that all new local trains being made for Mumbai’s suburban rail network will now come with automatic door-closing systems. This step is being taken to increase passenger safety and prevent accidents caused by open doors on overcrowded trains.
Why this decision was made:
The announcement comes just after a tragic incident on Monday morning near Diva and Mumbra stations in Thane district. In this accident, at least five people died and several were injured after falling from a packed local train.
According to officials, the accident occurred around 9:30 AM, when two local trains were crossing each other. Many passengers were standing on the footboards of both trains. As the trains passed each other, people collided and fell off, losing their balance.
What Railways said:
The Railway Board confirmed:
- All new trains made for Mumbai locals will have automatic doors.
- Existing trains will also be redesigned to include this safety feature.
A preliminary investigation showed that 13 passengers fell, and 5 were declared dead at hospitals. More updates are expected as the investigation continues.
This step is a major safety move by Indian Railways to reduce accidents and protect lives in one of the world’s busiest suburban rail networks.
