Mumbai locals to get automatic doors by December

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To enhance passengers’ safety, the Indian Railways has announced to introduce automatic doors on Mumbai’s suburban trains by December 2025.

Following the fatal Mumbra train tragedy in June, Indian Railways has decided to equip local trains with automatic doors to improve passenger safety. The accident, which occurred near the Mumbra railway station, involved four passengers who died after falling from an overcrowded train.

Speaking at the Bullet Train–Shilphata Tunnel breakthrough event in Ghansoli on Saturday, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw made the announcement, highlighting the government’s commitment to enhancing the commuters’ experience while prioritising safety.

“Automatic doors will now be a standard feature in suburban trains. Safety cannot be compromised, and we will ensure these trains are running before the end of this year," The Indian Express quoted Vaishnaw as saying.

“The system is designed to close doors automatically before departure and reopen only after halting. This will drastically reduce the risk of passengers falling or being pushed out," he added.

The plan includes the induction of 238 new fully air-conditioned (AC) trains, each equipped with sensor-based automatic doors. These will be deployed across Central and Western Railway routes, marking the largest AC fleet addition to Mumbai’s rail network, The Indian Express report mentioned.

Further, existing non-AC trains, which make up most of Mumbai’s local fleet, will be retrofitted. A prototype coach developed in Kurla includes automatic doors, ventilated panels, roof-mounted fans, and interconnecting vestibules to ease overcrowding and improve airflow.

The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai is producing these non-AC models, with the first rake expected by November. After trials, full deployment is aimed for year-end.

The outlet, citing official data, reported that around eight people die daily on Mumbai’s suburban network, mostly from falls and track crossings. Officials see this upgrade as a vital intervention.