Bombay High Court suggests installation of automatic doors for Mumbai locals

The Bombay High Court on Friday suggested that Mumbai’s suburban trains be fitted with  automatic doors to curb the alarming number of commuter deaths. 

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in 2024 by a daily commuter, drawing attention to the staggering number of deaths on Mumbai local trains.

“You (Railway) should provide automatic doors that close... This is a suggestion from a layman. We are not experts,” said Chief Justice Alok Aradhe, during the hearing.

The Court’s concern was amplified by recent developments, including a tragic incident in Mumbra where four commuters died and nine others were injured after falling off two overcrowded trains during peak hours. 

The Court cited official figures showing that 3,588 people have died in 2024 alone while travelling on Mumbai locals averaging 10 deaths per day. 

“What disturbs us is that in 2024 alone, over 3,588 deaths happened on Mumbai locals. This averages to 10 deaths per day. Which means 10 Mumbaikars die every day. This is an alarming situation,” Justice Marne noted, referring to data submitted by the authorities in an affidavit.

Appearing for the State and the Railways, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Anil Singh informed the Court that a High-Level Committee  has been formed to examine the issue of fatalities in general, and a separate multi-disciplinary committee headed by the Senior Divisional Safety Officer of Central Railway is investigating the Mumbra incident.

Singh said the High level committee's aim is to achieve “zero deaths” on Mumbai locals and invited the petitioners to submit suggestions to the panels. However, the Court remained unconvinced that current efforts were sufficient.

Whatever the State seems to be doing is not enough as the fatalities keep happening, the Bench observed.

The Court recommended that the committees explore structural safety interventions, to prevent further untoward incidents. 

While agreeing to consider the suggestions, ASG Singh pointed to operational challenges.

“No work can be undertaken during the hours locals are running. We need to construct partition walls and make changes to platforms. Some measures have already been taken,” he said.

The Court then directed the State and Railway authorities to submit detailed information on both committees, including their recommendations and a clear timeline for implementation.

The matter is scheduled for further hearing on July 14