Every morning, when the city of Mumbai wakes up, millions of people board the iconic local trains – India’s busiest suburban railway network. For many, it’s a daily ritual. For others, it’s their last trip. Every day, 7 to 8 people lose their lives on these tracks. There’s a story behind every statistic: a mother arriving late to work, a student rushing for an exam, a father returning home after a double shift.
Mumbai’s local trains, often called the “lifeline of the city,” have become a paradox – both a symbol of movement and a site of daily tragedy.
🚨 The Frightening Reality
According to Government Railway Police data, more than 2,400 people died on Mumbai’s suburban railway in 2024 alone. That’s an average of about 7 deaths every day. The causes are tragically consistent:
Track crossing: More than 1,100 deaths were caused by people crossing tracks illegally, often in a hurry to save a few minutes.
Falling off trains: Nearly 600 passengers have fallen off packed trains or while trying to get on to a moving local train.
Platform gap: Even a small gap between the train and the platform has claimed more than a dozen lives.
These are not mere “accidents”. They are the result of systemic neglect, overcrowding and a dangerous culture of everyday risk-taking.
🚆 Why is this happening?
- Overcrowding is deadly
Trains designed to carry around 2,000 passengers often carry more than 4,500, especially during peak hours. Passengers are forced to stand on doorsteps or hang from footboards just to get in. - Lack of infrastructure
While the city has grown, railway infrastructure has struggled to keep pace. Many stations still lack adequate foot-over-bridges, subways or fences to discourage track crossing. - Habitual risk-taking
In a city where every minute counts, people often choose convenience over caution – crossing tracks instead of using bridges or jumping onto moving trains to avoid delays. - Lack of awareness and enforcement
Despite signs and announcements, safety protocols are often ignored, and penalties are rarely enforced.
🧠 The human cost
There are humans behind the numbers – each death reverberates across families and communities. A teenage boy who never came back from school. A housewife who went shopping and never returned. A father whose children are still waiting at the dinner table.
Every one of them boarded the train with plans for tomorrow. None of them made it.
✅ What is being done?
Railway upgrades: Automatic doors, better lighting, surveillance cameras and fences have been installed at many stations.
Public campaigns: Authorities are raising awareness through announcements, posters and school visits.
Crowd control: A proposal to stagger office and school timings is aimed at reducing crowding during rush hours.
AC locals and longer trains: New 15-coach trains with automatic doors are being introduced, though progress is slow.
❤️ What can you do?
While we wait for systemic changes, here’s how you can help save lives:
Never cross tracks – use bridges or subways.
Avoid footboard travel – if the train is full, wait for the next train.
Report safety hazards at stations to railway police or authorities.
Raise awareness – talk about the issue with friends, colleagues and on social media.
Push for policy change – support initiatives that demand safer railway infrastructure.
✨ Final thoughts
Mumbai’s local trains were built to connect the city – but not at the cost of human life. When a city loses 7 people a day to the very system that sustains it, it’s not just a transport issue – it’s a humanitarian crisis.
We must treat it as such.
Let’s not let daily deaths become the norm. Let’s make safety a shared responsibility. Let’s reclaim Mumbai’s lifeline.
