Mumbai Local News: WR Sees Reduction in Fatalities by More Than Half, 40% on CR

Fatalities on Mumbai’s suburban railway lines have dropped sharply over the past 15 years. Central Railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR) both saw major reductions in deaths on tracks.

Central Railway saw a reduction of 40% in deaths between 2009 and 2024, whereas Western Railway saw a reduction of 52% in deaths in the same period.

CR:

WR: 

Western Railway has taken several steps to reduce deaths:

• Over the last 20 years, WR added 399 suburban train services. The total number of services went from 1,007 in 2004 to 1,406 in 2024. 

• The number of EMU coaches also rose. It increased by over 70 per cent, from 10,290 in 2004 to 17,505 in 2024.

• Fifteen-car services started in 2009. By 2016, all 9-car trains were replaced with 12-car ones. As of November 2024, WR was running 211 such services.

• It also added 109 air-conditioned local trains. These trains have automatic door-closing systems. WR extended Harbour Line services to Goregaon.

• Several new foot overbridges were built. WR also installed 116 escalators and 71 lifts. These steps were taken to stop people from crossing tracks.

Central Railway also made many improvements to its suburban services over time. The Western Railway’s Mumbai Central division covers 183 kilometres. The Central Railway’s Mumbai suburban division covers 350 kilometres.

However, the Government Railway Police (GRP) show slightly different numbers. According to GRP data, CR suburban areas had 1,533 deaths in 2024. WR’s Mumbai Central suburban division had 935 deaths in the same year.