Young woman injured after falling under train wheels while protesting harassment in Mumbai local

A young woman sustained serious injuries after falling under the wheels of a train while protesting harassment in a Mumbai local train, according to details reported by NDTV India. The incident occurred during travel on a Mumbai local train, where the woman faced harassment.

According to the complaint filed by the woman, when the local train reached Naigaon station, an accused individual misbehaved and harassed her. Enraged by this behaviour, the woman protested and, in anger, struck the accused with a slipper. A heated altercation ensued between the two. During this dispute, the woman fell under the train wheels, resulting in her hand being severed and causing serious injuries.

Mumbai's local train service is an integral part of the daily lives of millions living in the city and its surrounding areas. According to the official website of the Mumbai Railway Police, approximately 70 to 80 lakh passengers use this network every day. Transporting such a large number of passengers safely to their destinations is a major challenge for the railways, especially during morning and evening peak hours when trains experience overcrowding beyond capacity. In such situations, passengers are often forced to travel hanging from the doors or standing on the footboard, which can prove fatal.

Incidents of deaths on Mumbai's railway network highlight the severity of this issue. According to a report by The Indian Express, statistics from the Government Railway Police (GRP) show that 2,287 deaths were recorded on Mumbai's suburban railway network during the year 2025. This figure was approximately 7 per cent lower than the 2,468 deaths recorded in 2024. Nevertheless, in 2025, an average of more than six people lost their lives every day. These figures are not limited only to deaths caused by falling from moving trains but also include deaths occurring on the railway network due to various other reasons.

According to statistical details, 525 passengers died due to falling from moving trains in 2025, while 1,063 people lost their lives while crossing railway tracks. In comparison, 570 people died due to falling from moving trains in 2024. These figures clarify that safety-related challenges on Mumbai's suburban railway network persist.

Important steps are being taken by the railways to enhance passenger safety in Mumbai. According to a report by The Times of India dated 7 November, the first Non-AC local train with automatic doors has arrived in Mumbai. This 12-coach train has been prepared by the Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory (ICF). However, passengers will not be able to use this train immediately, as the railways will first conduct tests regarding its safety and operation. A decision to include it in regular passenger services will be made based on the results of these tests.

The need for automatic doors in Mumbai locals had been felt for a long time, but the necessity to work in this direction became more acute following the Mumbra train accident on 9 June 2025. On that day, passengers standing at the doors of two overloaded local trains coming from the opposite direction lost their balance and fell onto the tracks. Five people died in this accident and several passengers were injured. This incident brought the risks of standing due to crowding and open doors in Mumbai's local trains back into discussion.

Following this accident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that AC trains with automatic doors will be gradually introduced in Mumbai's local trains. He stated that the Central Government has agreed to this proposal. The objective is to provide security arrangements similar to Metro trains, but without imposing an additional fare burden on passengers. The AC local trains currently operating in Mumbai already have automatic doors, which remain closed while the train is moving. Preparations are now underway to implement similar arrangements in Non-AC local trains as well.

The most significant feature of the new automatic door train is its doors. These doors will remain closed while the train is moving and will only open after reaching the station. This will make it impossible for passengers to stand on the footboard or travel hanging from the doors, which will help prevent incidents of passengers falling out of the train.

Mumbai's local train service is the identity of the city, where millions of people travel every day. Whether it is morning or evening, heavy crowds of passengers are seen at railway stations. Often, due to lack of space, people are forced to travel hanging from the doors, which has become a common but extremely dangerous part of life in Mumbai. It is hoped that the arrival of new technology and automatic doors will reduce these risks.