'Alarming situation': Bombay HC suggests automatic doors on Mumbai local trains to prevent commuter deaths

MUMBAI: Observing that it is an “alarming situation” that there are 10 deaths daily, Bombay high court on Friday suggested that Mumbai local trains have automatic closed doors to avoid overcrowdingIt also referred to the recent Mumbra train-fall incident in which five persons died.“You have to take action so that this should not happen again,” said chief justice Alok Aradhe and Sandeep Marne while hearing public interest litigation filed last year by Yatin Jadhav, a regular local train commuter. He sought direction to Railways to place on record a detailed report of plans to reduce or eliminate fatalities on account of untoward incidents which occur with commuters while commuting in local trains. Jadhav also urged to direct the Railways to set up an expert committee to conduct an in-depth analysis of the causes and trends of fatalities and injuries from untoward incidents and recommend the adoption of measures, including pilot programmes, to eliminate fatalities on suburban railways.Asked by the judges what measures have been taken by the railways, additional solicitor general Anil Singh said a high-level committee has already been constituted to suggest safety measures.

He informed that after the Mumbra incident, a multi-disciplinary committee was set up headed by the senior divisional safety officer of Central Railway. He said the objective of the committees is “zero deaths in Central and Western Railway.”The judges questioned what measures have been taken by Railways. They referred to Railway’s affidavit-in-reply. They said "what disburbs is that in 2024 there were 3,588 deaths took place in Central and Western Railway which averages to 10 deaths per day.” “So every day 10 Mumbaikars while travelling on the train by falling. And these numbers of deaths falling down from train, hit by poles, or gaps between the footboard and the platform,” said Justice Marne, “adding this is your own data.” “Though you have projected that there is a reduction by 46% as compared to 2009,” he added.Singh said Railways’ “mission is zero death mission.” He submitted a chart detailing measures taken.

“What else is required to be done? Do it,” the CJ said. Singh said "as far as Mumbai railways is concerned, it is one of the most efficient, economical, and fastest modes of service which is provided. In fact, there is nowhere in the world where a railway like Mumbai works.”“The difficulty is we are making a lot of improvement day by day. The constraint is we can do the work at night hours—4 or 5 hours—otherwise once the train is shut, the entire Mumbai comes to a standstill.

We have to take into consideration all factors from all angles,” Singh added. He also informed that the high-level committee suggested “construction of partitions or walls near the tracks so that there is no trespass and for fencing between tracks so there is no crossing.

”“In some places, we have carried out work on the platform also. As platforms are becoming overcrowded, we have shifted certain stalls from the stations.

There are many measures which we are taking,” Singh added. It was then that Justice Marne pointed out “that fencing and all is to take care of deaths because of crossing etc.” “What about people falling? Commuters who are on the train and they are falling,” he added. The judges said the trains should not be open so that there is no scope for overcrowding. “You should provide automatic doors which close. This is one of the suggestions as a layman.

We are not experts in rail safety. We can’t do anything,” the Chief Justice said.The judges said to take the petition to a logical conclusion, Railways has to inform the recommendations of the committees and the timeline for their implementation. They will monitor and ensure Railways will adhere to the timelines. The petitioner’s advocate said the Railways affidavit said they cannot have closed doors. “But the railway minister after the incident of June 9 said ‘we will have closed doors and we are working towards it,’” he said.Adjourning the hearing to July 14, the judges directed the Railways to disclose members of both committees. It shall also place on record suggestions of both committees to avoid untoward incidents in the future. “The affidavits should clearly indicate the timelines with which measures recommended by the committee shall be implemented,” they added. The judges said it will be open to the petitioner to submit suggestions or a plan of action which shall be considered by the committees.