Mumbai Suburban ranks among the most congested railway systems globally. Covering 376 route kilometres under Central and Western Railways, this network handles thousands of services each day but has garnered a troubled reputation due to frequent accidents caused by passengers clinging to open doors during rush hours. From January 2014 to May 2025, almost 6,760 fatalities and 14,257 injuries were reported in these incidents.
In June 2025, the Mumbra tragedy marked another such occurrence that led to five commuters losing their lives after falling from overcrowded local trains. Shortly after this tragedy, the Railway Board issued a directive for automatic door systems to be implemented in all new non-AC suburban rakes.
What features does the new train offer?
The train comprises 12 coaches with a total capacity of 5,698 passengers: 1,003 seated and 4,695 standing. It includes eight second-class and four first-class coaches, designed with dedicated sections for women and individuals with disabilities, alongside 19 luggage compartments.
Integral to the design is an automatic door system aimed at preventing unsafe boarding practices. The doors are programmed to open in approximately 3 seconds and close in 4 seconds, with a standard 30-second dwell time during station stops.
Interlocking mechanisms are in place to ensure the train cannot move until all doors are securely closed, while obstruction detection and anti-drag features work to avert accidents during boarding and alighting.
“The non-AC EMU represents a notable advancement over traditional open-door EMUs. It will deter unsafe boarding and exit from moving trains, reduce accidents resulting from open doors, and foster discipline among passengers with controlled boarding,” an ICF official stated, as reported by Indian Express.
The ventilation issue
A significant challenge in developing a closed-door non-AC train has been ensuring adequate ventilation. Previous trials indicated a sharp increase in carbon dioxide levels inside sealed coaches. To address this, the new rake is equipped with two high-capacity blowers that deliver 10,000 cubic metres of air per hour, roof-mounted ventilation units to introduce fresh air, larger windows, and louvred doors that allow air circulation while maintaining privacy.
The coaches also feature two-thirds openable windows to ensure airflow while keeping passengers secure.
Enhancements in safety and comfort
Beyond safety upgrades, the train incorporates modern amenities such as fire detection systems, emergency talk-back units near doors, updated alarm mechanisms, passenger information displays, and improved seating arrangements. Vestibule connections facilitate movement between coaches, while internal sliding doors serve as backup exits in emergencies.
Is this the complete prototype?
Before entering passenger service, the train must undergo required trials and obtain certification from the Research Designs and Standards Organisation, a process anticipated to last about three months. Officials mentioned that the rollout is a response to a Railway Board directive following the Mumbra tragedy in June 2025, where several commuters tragically fell from overcrowded trains.
The prototype will experience multiple trial rounds to guarantee it does not compromise passenger comfort under varying crowd conditions. The long-term plan for Mumbai’s suburban network envisions a shift to fully air-conditioned services under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP)-III and IIIA.
The Railways has approved the procurement of 238 AC rakes featuring 12 cars at an expense of ₹ 19,293 crore, with plans to introduce hundreds of new AC rakes by 2028.
In tandem with rolling stock improvements, Indian Railways is committing resources to infrastructure enhancements, including platform extensions, additional tracks, and station redevelopment, aimed at boosting overall capacity and improving commuter experiences across the network.
Currently, Western Railway operates 1,414 services, including 133 AC services, whereas Central Railway runs 1,820 services, with 94 AC services catering to passengers throughout Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan, Virar, and Panvel.
