"During peak hours, our carrying capacity is low; will work to strengthen that": Maharashtra CM on Mumbai train mishap

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 10 (ANI): After a tragic incident at Mumbra railway station where four people were killed and several others injured at Mumbra railway station due to excessive crowding on a train, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday acknowledged the state's limited carrying capacity during peak hours. He emphasised the need to strengthen the railway infrastructure to address this issue.
"In the last 11 years, PM Modi's government has invested a large amount in Mumbai's suburban region in passenger amenities, broadening of roads, escalators, drinking water facility or new signalling. However, it is true that during the peak hours, our carrying capacity is low. So, we need to strengthen that. We will work on this," said Fadnavis.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis highlighted the Railway Minister's efforts to enhance safety and comfort in suburban trains.
"Our Railway Minister has emphasised that as these trains do not have a door, the possibility of an accident is high. So, he will work to put doors in such trains. Ventilation will also be taken care of. Efforts are underway to bring AC trains to suburban Mumbai, and planning is also going on to ensure that the passengers do not have to bear the heavy burden of ticket charges," the Maharashtra CM added.
Four passengers died after falling from an excessively crowded train at Mumbra railway station in Thane district on Monday, an official from Central Railways said.
"Out of the 13 people who were injured in the incident, four people have lost their lives, and four others are under medical treatment," CPRO, Central Railway, Swapnil Dhanraj Nila, told ANI.
Passengers travelling on the footboard on a local train from Kasara and similarly those on a train going towards CSMT, collided with each other and fell.
Earlier on Monday, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw held a meeting with Railway Board officials and the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) team to address passenger safety in non-AC local trains.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Railways, the purpose was to find a practical solution to the issue of automatic door closing in local non-AC trains in Mumbai. The major issue with automatic door closing in non-AC trains is suffocation because of reduced ventilation.
"After detailed discussions, it was decided that new non-AC trains will be designed and manufactured where the key issue of ventilation will be resolved using three design changes-- First, the doors will have louvres. Second, coaches will have roof-mounted ventilation units to pump in fresh air. And third, the coaches will have vestibules so that passengers can move from one coach to another and balance out the crowd in a natural way," the statement stated.
"The first train of this new design will be ready by November 2025. After necessary tests and certification, it will be put into service by January 2026. This is in addition to the 238 AC trains being manufactured for Mumbai suburban services," the Ministry of Railways said. (ANI)