31 people died after falling from train between Mumbra and Kalwa in two years

A passenger fell down from a suburban train passing over the railway bridge in the Retibandar area of Mumbra on Monday night. It is not clear whether this happened due to overcrowding or some other reason. Between the two years 2022 and 2023, 31 people have died after falling from the train. Due to this, the discussion has started that passengers are becoming victims of crowding. Many railway projects are stalled due to various reasons. Passengers' organisations are criticising due to these stalled railway projects.

Kasara, Badlapur, Ambernath, Kalyan, Dombivli, Diva, Mumbra and Kalwa areas of Thane district have witnessed massive urbanisation. Thousands of workers living here travel to Thane, Mumbai and Navi Mumbai for work. As there is no parallel road to the railway, lakhs of citizens have no option but to travel to Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai using local trains.  

In 2022, the railway administration inaugurated Thane to Diva 5th and 6th line. It was expected that the passengers of suburban trains from Retibandar area would get relief as the fifth and sixth separate tracks were made available for express trains. But passengers are claiming that many express trains are running from Retibandar. In the two years 2022 and 2023, between Mumbra and Kalwa railway stations, 31 people have died after falling from the train. So, 13 people are injured. In the same year, 35 people died in train accidents. A passenger died after falling from a railway bridge in Mumbra Retibandar area on Monday night. The bridge was constructed for the Thane to Diva 5th and 6th route project. Police say that there is no clarity about how exactly the accident happened.

The train journey between Kalwa-Mumbra is dangerous. Railway officials are plying long-distance trains on the new railway line built for Mumbaikars with loans from the state government and the World Bank. On the other hand, important projects like Kalwa-Airoli elevated road for unauthorised voters are also stalled. Passengers are losing their lives due to this, said Siddhesh Desai, General Secretary, Mumbai Railway Passengers Union.